The New York Knicks welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to Madison Square Garden. Action gets underway at 7:30 pm ET on Tuesday, Mar. 1 and can be seen on MSG and CNW.
The Knicks were beaten by the Heat 98-81 on Sunday. Robin Lopez had a good game in defeat for New York, recording 14 points and 14 rebounds to earn his ninth double-double of the season. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off a 111-102 win over the Pacers on Sunday. Damian Lillard led the game in scoring with 33 points on 11-for-23 shooting.
Lopez has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Knicks. During that stretch, he has averaged 15.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 2.2 blocks.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Knicks won the first game 112-110. Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 37 points.
The Knicks have gone 25-36 Straight Up (SU) and 32-28-1 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 7-3 ATS. New York has averaged 111.0 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 99.1. The Knicks are an impressive shooting team from the line with an NBA-best .811 free throw percentage. New York is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the fifth-fewest turnovers per game at only 12.7.
In the other locker room, the Trail Blazers have a record of 34-26 ATS and 32-28 SU. Portland has records of 32-28 SU and 34-26 ATS against the East.
New York won the last meeting this season between these two teams, but the win was not enough to overtake Portland in the recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 3-7 SU over the most recent 10 meetings. The Trail Blazers also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 5-4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Por
Notes
Portland ranks eighth in points per game with 103.6, while New York ranks 12th in points allowed with an average of 101.6 given up.
Portland scores an average of 100.1 points per away game (ranked 14th). New York ranks 18th in points allowed per home game with 101.4.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Portland Trail Blazers are a stellar 17-4. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the New York Knicks have a subpar record of 5-29.
The Portland Trail Blazers have a subpar 15-24 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The New York Knicks are 20-7 when they hit the century mark.
The Knicks have a defensive rating of 105.6 (ranked 20th), while the Trail Blazers rank seventh for their offensive rating of 105.8.
Portland has an average field goal percentage of 45.1%. New York is an abysmal 5-21 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The New York Knicks rank higher for their field goal percentage (23rd) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (28th). The Portland Trail Blazers rank higher for their effective field goal percentage (eighth) than they do for their field goal percentage (13th).
New York makes an average of 20.2 assists per game (ranked 26th). Portland ranks higher in assists with 21.4 (ranked 19th).
With 45.8 per game, Portland ranks near the top of the NBA for rebounds at fifth. New York ranks 13th with 43.9.
New York ranks in the top half of the NBA in defensive rebounding at 14th, while Portland ranks near the top of the league (third) in offensive rebounding.
New York has forced an average turnover rate of 11.5% this season. In games where their turnover rate is 11.5% or higher, Portland is an even 24-24.
