New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 3-29-2024
Can the Spurs slow down the red-hot Knicks on Friday night at home? The New York Knicks are set to face San Antonio Spurs in a crucial game in San Antonio, aiming to secure a third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have leapfrogged both the Magic and Cavaliers for the third spot in the standings, while the Spurs are currently in last place in the Western Conference. Despite a series of injuries, the Knicks are making progress, particularly the return of center Mitchell Robinson, who had been out of 50 games due to an ankle injury, who returned for the game with a score of 29 points and 26 points in a 145-101 win over the Toronto Raptors. Despite this, the Spurs have remained hopeful, with a season-high 40 assists in the game on just 44 field goals.
Published : 4 weeks ago by in Sports
The red-hot New York Knicks travel to San Antonio on Friday night to take on the Spurs as they hope to continue their push toward one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have leapfrogged both the Magic and Cavaliers for the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Spurs are well on their way to the NBA Draft Lottery once again and are in last place in the Western Conference. The opening tap for this matchup is scheduled for 8:10 PM EST. For your daily picks in Major League Baseball, College Football Picks, the NHL, all the NBA Picks, and all NFL action, check out all my premium picks with at least two per day. My Best Bet of the Week can be as low as $24.99 (usually $50) if you use this link. Take advantage of this as this comes with a profit guarantee. Win or get the money back in credit! Claim the best betting offers available from all the top sportsbooks.
The New York Knicks, despite a rash of injuries, are making a strong close to the season as they try to secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and are getting healthier by the day. On Wednesday night, the Knicks got a career-high 29 points from Miles McBride and 26 points from Jalen Brunson in a 145-101 blowout win over the sinking Toronto Raptors. The Knicks won for the seventh time in eight games and saw the return of center Mitchell Robinson in the game. Robinson has missed 50 games with a left ankle injury but came off the bench on Wednesday night to give the Knicks eight points as he works his way back into shape before the playoffs. The New York Knicks, despite a rash of injuries, are making a strong close to the season as they try to secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and are getting healthier by the day. On Wednesday night, the Knicks got a career-high 29 points from Miles McBride and 26 points from Jalen Brunson in a 145-101 blowout win over the sinking Toronto Raptors. The Knicks won for the seventh time in eight games and saw the return of center Mitchell Robinson in the game. Robinson has missed 50 games with a left ankle injury but came off the bench on Wednesday night to give the Knicks eight points as he works his way back into shape before the playoffs. "You never know what to expect but it’s a good baseline for us,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I liked the way he moved. He’ll get better and better each day.” The Knicks have ten games left and a one-game lead over the Cavaliers for the third spot in the Eastern Conference. The come into this matchup with the Spurs ranked 21st in scoring this season. The Knicks are 22nd in field goal shooting and 16th in 3-point field goal shooting. They are 12th in 3-point field goals made per game. The Knicks are second in scoring defense. They are 9th in field goal defense and 16th in 3-point defense. Even without Robinson for 50 games and the continued absence of forward Julius Randle, the Knicks are third in total rebounds in the NBA. They are 15th in fewest turnovers per game. Key Injuries: Randle (shoulder) is out. Alec Burks and OG Anunoby are questionable.
The San Antonio Spurs never expected to make the playoffs this season but progress was also on the agenda. The team continues to show progress, particularly Rookie of the Year-favorite Victor Wembenyama. In his last 15 games, Wembenyama is averaging over 21 points per game while pulling down over 11 rebounds and averaging nearly five assists, all above his season averages. On Wednesday night, he had 19 points to go along with five blocks while teammate Devin Vassell scored 31 points as the Spurs downed the Utah Jazz 118-111. The Spurs had a season-high 40 assists in the game on just 44 field goals. The San Antonio Spurs never expected to make the playoffs this season but progress was also on the agenda. The team continues to show progress, particularly Rookie of the Year-favorite Victor Wembenyama. In his last 15 games, Wembenyama is averaging over 21 points per game while pulling down over 11 rebounds and averaging nearly five assists, all above his season averages. On Wednesday night, he had 19 points to go along with five blocks while teammate Devin Vassell scored 31 points as the Spurs downed the Utah Jazz 118-111. The Spurs had a season-high 40 assists in the game on just 44 field goals. “That’s Spurs basketball … and Pop preaches it all the time," Vassell said of coach Gregg Popovich. "We were knocking down shots today and everybody was sharing it.” The Spurs, at 17-56, are well on their way to another trip to the NBA Draft Lottery but are well on their way back to relevancy as Wembenyama continues to develop. They come into this game ranked 23rd in the NBA in scoring this season. The Spurs are 24th in field goal percentage and 30th in 3-point shooting. They are 17th in 3-point field goals made per game. The Spurs are ranked 25th in scoring defense this season. They are 25th in field goal defense and 26th in 3-point defense. The Spurs are 20th in the NBA in total rebounds per game. They are 26th in the NBA in fewest turnovers per game.
Best Bets for this Game
The Knicks aren't just winning in recent games, they are blowing teams out. The Knicks have won seven of their last eight games and five of those seven wins have come by 12 points or more including the 44-point win over the Raptors on Wednesday. The Spurs have played better but they will struggle on the glass against the Knicks 3rd-ranked total rebounding squad. The Knicks' defense has been outstanding of late as well, now ranking second in the NBA in points allowed per game. The addition of Robinson and the likely return of Anunoby on Friday should give them additional presence both on the glass and defensively overall. Expect another comfortable Knicks win on Friday night. Want a second opinion on this pick? Despite the Knicks' 145-point outburst on Wednesday night, they have been a far more defensive-oriented team of late. They are second in the NBA in scoring defense and are ninth in the league in field goal defense. That should play well against a Spurs team that is just 23rd in scoring this season and 24th in field goal percentage. Anunoby should be back active on Friday after sitting out Wednesday's game for maintenance. His presence improves the Knicks' perimeter defense immensely. The Knicks should control the tempo of this game as well with a better assist-to-turnover ratio and a far better-rebounding team. The Knicks are last in the NBA in pace of play so this one will be played slow.
Topics: Basketball, NBA, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs