Posted on 2/29/2008 4:41:40 PM

NBA Betting Furious Free Picks - Star Studded Knicks Try To Ground Hawks

By Tim Furious

New York Knicks (18-39) vs. Atlanta Hawks (24-32)

Friday, February 29th --- Phillips Arena, Atlanta --- 7:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Atlanta -6.5 (200.5)

Perhaps my favorite part of the Knicks, is that everyone who bets on the NBA can easily name the starting six for the Knickerbockers despite the fact this band of misfit toys only has 18 wins. Their 4-11SU record over the past 15 games speaks for itself. But how do you not get more out of a team composed of Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, David “Don’t Trade Me or NYC Will Riot” Lee, Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford? These are all 18.0+ point guys, yet the Knicks only manage 95.3 points per game.

Atlanta has the opposite problem. An incredible band of athletes that has horrific coaching as these young studs try to make a name for themselves. Mike Bibby has been outstanding in pulling these guys together, and while it’s a stretch to say that the Red Birds could contend for a playoff seed, they’re certainly looking much better to the eyes of their betting faithful. Ok, fine. So they’re 2-8 SU in their past 10 games. But they’re 5-1 ATS in their past 6 games at home, and have the kind of “stay away” team because on any given night their stars can shine hotter than the sun (the astral one, not the one in Phoenix). Atlanta averages 95.6 points per game, while playing good enough defense to allow only 97.8 points against.

The Knicks are horrific on the road. And I mean horrific. They are 2-8 SU in their past 10 games away from Madison Square Garden and have the 19th worst road offense in the league with 95.1 points. Despite their star power, the Knicks have the second worst field goal percentage against in the league, allowing teams to rock them for 47.2 percent from the field. And that’s not something you want to be shameful about when facing an Atlanta team that has some stealthy snipers in the form of Bibby and Joe Johnson.

For all the flack Josh Smith gets for not pushing this team over the edge of victory, he is becoming a force to be reckoned with. He’s just a little behind schedule. He’s gone from a high flying dynamo with zero basketball IQ, to a solid well-rounded player. Of his 8.0 rebounds per game, 6.1 one of those are defensive. Plus he chips in 3.7 assists and still averages 17.4 points. And he LOVES playing at home, even if there are only seven people in Phillips Arena.

Al Horford will have his work cut out for him tonight with Curry and Randolph spelling each other appropriately. The gargantuan Gator has 9.3 points and 10.0 boards, which is about all you can expect from a big man in his rookie year. Keep an eye on him tonight to see how you should be handling the Hawks down the stretch. He’s key to their success. By the way, you’re welcome for that tid bit of information. I’m Captain Obvious, and I’m just letting you know that you should take Atlanta to cover tonight. Thank you and good day.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Atlanta (UNDER)

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