Posted on
2/29/2008 2:35:16 PM
NBA Basketball Free Picks - New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
By Eric Williams
The New York Knicks, (18-39 SU, 28-28-1 ATS, 34-23 O/U), are still one of the most maddeningly inconsistent teams in all of basketball this season but have been playing a bit better recently, alternating wins and losses in each of their last eight games, but come into tonight’s matchup against the hungry Atlanta Hawks, (24-32 SU, 27-28-1 ATS, 26-30 O/U), off a convincing 113-89 rout of the sinking Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday while the Hawks enter tonight’s matchup having won their first home contest with new point guard Mike Bibby on the roster, beating the Sacramento Kings 123-117 Wednesday night.
The Hawks were hoping for better results than the 1-4 record they have recorded in Bibby’s first four games with the franchise, but got exactly what they are paying for Wednesday night as Bibby exploded for a season-high 24 points while dishing out 12 assists.
"It was good," Bibby said. "It was a win we definitely needed. ... It's only been six games, so it's going to take some time."
The Hawks, currently in ninth place in the eastern conference, are seeking a late playoff push and will face the Knicks four times over the next six weeks.
New York is looking to win consecutive games for the first time since winning three straight from Jan. 13-16.
The Knicks, 4-6 in their last ten games overall, got some stellar play from guards Nate Robinson who scored 22 points and Jamal Crawford who added 20 as the Knicks annihilated the struggling Bobcats.
The Hawks, who have won just two of their last ten games overall, have managed to cover the spread in just four of its last ten games in the BetUS.com Sportsbook while the Knicks have gone a very respectable 5-4-1 against the spread in their last ten games.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks.
The Knicks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
The Knicks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Hawks are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Hawks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six home games.
The Over is 5-0 in Knicks last five when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 13-3 in Hawks last 16 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Over is 7-1 in the last eight meetings in Atlanta.
The Home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Analysis: While the Knick are on track for another loss with their, ‘win one, lose one’ play lately – and the Hawks are very hungry – something tells me that the Knicks have enough in them to muster up a cover against the young Hawks. I haven’t said it often this season, but take the Knicks to cover the spread in a close loss tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Knicks + 6½ Points/Over 202½ Total Points
07:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
New York Knicks +6½ -110
Atlanta Hawks -6½ -110
Over 200½ -110
Under 200½ -110
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