𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

What time expect from the Spurs?
The Spurs lost their last game to the 76ers who lost Embiid in the 2Q with an ejection but despite that they have won 4/L6. This game in particular against the Knicks is interesting. The Knicks allow the 8th FEWEST PPG (109.93) and the main reason for that is they play at the 4th slowest pace. This game is @Madison Square Garden and the Spurs at Home are 11-7 but on the road, they are 4-7 and that is a bad sign as the Knicks are a solid 9-4 @Home having a +11.5 net rating. The Spurs since the start of last season are just 8-16 ATS when being +3.5/+9.5-point underdogs. The Knicks are a team that makes you beat them by having to shoot a high%. They also the 2nd Fewest 2nd chance points and the Spurs rank #25/30 teams in that category. While ranking bottom 5 in 2nd chance points they rank #19/30 teams in FG% (45.6%) and that dips down to 43.5% on the road (5th worst).

What to expect from the Knicks?
The Knicks come into this one winning 4 straight by an average of 15 points per game while averaging 119 PPG. Tom Thibodeau will have his guys ready like he always does and in games under Thibodeau he is 61-43-1 ATS when the spread is -3.5/-9.5. The Knicks at Home shoot 50.5% from the field ranking #2/30 and while doing so they rank #13/30 in 2nd chance points per game. That is a good sign as the Spurs have allowed the 7th most 2nd chance points.

All in all, I think the Spurs are going to have to shoot a very high % to keep this game competitive and with those stats above that I provided you I think that will be unlikely. The Knicks should get way more shots in this game on 2nd chance points and they also win the turnover battle. The Knicks shoot good at home where the Spurs have struggled on the road. Give me Knicks -9.5 and I expect this game to go under

Best Bet: Knicks -9.5
Lean: Spurs TT ‘U’ 107.5 -125

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀

PLAY #1

Jalen Brunson 25+ Points +100

He has not been as much of a scorer since adding Karl Anthony Towns going over this in 12/29 games and 4/13 @Home but it’s Christmas Day and over the last 3 years Brunson has scored 27,23,38 points. Also Brunson is coming off a 12 point game and this season when scoring 15 or below points he follows that up the next getting 33,26,31,39 points! He is a guy who bounces back after a had performance and this is not a better spot to do so against the Spurs on Christmas Day! Over the last 2 seasons when Brunson plays against Wemby he has scored 25 & 61 points! This season the Spurs have allowed the MOST Midrange FGM and the 4th MOST Above the break 3PM. That is where 48.23% of Brunson’s FGA’s are from!

PLAY #2

Josh Hart 'O' 7.5 Reb -111

This line is way too low in my opinion. As you read in the game prediction the Spurs are not a good shooting team and are a team that does not crash the offensive boards very hard at all getting the 5th fewest 2nd chance points. The Knicks also force the 4th FEWEST Turnovers so that =‘s more shots and opportunities. Hart has been over this line in 16/26 games and 8/11 @Home with Karl Anthony Towns. Also the Spurs will be playing Wemby out and around the perimeter pulling Karl Anthony Towns away from the basket (A guy who averages 13.8 RPG). On the year the Spurs allow the 10th fewest rebounds to Centers but the MOST to opposing SF’s and the 8th most to SG’s.Hart is going to have so many chances here