The New York Knicks (19-43) will be at home in Madison Square Garden when they go head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder (38-24). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219 points with Oklahoma City set as a 7-point favorite. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2020, and it can be seen on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks Free Preview
The Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons in their last outing, 114-107, but failed to cover as 9-point favorites. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was Oklahoma City’s leading scorer with 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting. Oklahoma City dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.160 (below their season average of 0.233) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.680 (above their season average of 0.532). For those same stats, Detroit was 0.105 and 0.570, respectively. The two teams combined to put up 221 points, which came in over the projected point total of 209.
The last time the Knicks were in action, they were beaten by the Utah Jazz, 112-104, but they did cover as 9-point underdogs. Julius Randle was the game’s high scorer with 32 points on 12-for-21 shooting. Utah did a great job of making free throws (20-25; 80.0 percent). New York, on the other hand, held the Jazz to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.2 (below their season average of 21.3). The two clubs collectively scored 216 points, which was under the projected point total of 220.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams, after the Thunder won both meetings last season. In the last contest, Oklahoma City won 127-109. Oklahoma City had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 22.0). New York, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (10.6 vs. 15.9).
Of Oklahoma City’s 62 games, 32 have finished under the projected point total, while 34 of New York’s 62 games have finished under the O/U total. The Thunder come into this game with a substantial advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 38-24 SU and 37-24-1 ATS, while the Knicks are 19-43 SU and 32-28-2 ATS.
Getting to the line could be rare for New York in this matchup. The Knicks rank 25th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.179, while Oklahoma City ranks third in FTA rate allowed (0.164).
Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Knicks rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.8) while the Thunder rank 17th (48.7).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (23.1) while New York ranks 13th (24.3).
Oklahoma City ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.4) while New York ranks 13th (13.0).
Neither of these teams shoot many threes. Oklahoma City is 27th in the NBA with 29.4 three pointers per game while New York is 28th with 28.7 threes per game.
On the road, Oklahoma City is 21-8 ATS with 16 unders and 13 overs.
At home, New York is 16-14-1 ATS with 19 unders, 11 overs and 1 push.
When allowing below 100 points, Oklahoma City and New York are both 7-3.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Thunder are 37-14 and the Knicks are 16-27.
The Thunder rank first in steals allowed per game (6.7) while the Knicks rank 10th (7.2).
New York ranks first in second chance points per game (15.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 29th (10.4).
The Knicks rank seventh in rebounds per game (46.6) while the Thunder rank 25th (42.8).
The Thunder rank 16th in points off turnovers per game (16.8) while the Knicks rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while New York ranks 19th (5.1).
Bettings Trends:
New York is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in its last five games.
Over its last five outings, Oklahoma City is 0-5 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 6.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 106.0 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.8 points per game (7.3 above their season average).
