Pelicans vs. Knicks Predictions, Odds, Preview

Apr. 18, 2021
by Jonathan Willis
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The New York Knicks will kick off a six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon. Their first opponent will be the wilting New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans is currently in 11th in the Western Conference with a 25-31 record, and this team is in real danger of missing out on the play-ins for the NBA Playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are looking to finish in the top six in the Eastern Conference in order to avoid the play-ins.

Pelicans vs. Knicks Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Pelicans vs. Knicks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Knicks -3
  • Money-Line: New York -155, New Orleans +135
  • Total: 218.5

Zion Williamson and the Pelicans look to avenge a home loss to the Knicks last week as the teams meet in New York. (AP)

Pelicans vs. Knicks Current Form-Last Game

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has the Knicks on the cusp of making the postseason for the first time in eight years. The first-year head coach has made this team much better with his defense-first mentality, and the Knicks are currently 30-27 thanks to a five-game winning streak.

New York knocked off the Grizzlies, Raptors, and Lakers at home before going on the road to beat the Pelicans and Mavericks a few days ago.

The Knicks shot the lights out from beyond the arc in Wednesday’s win over the Pelicans. They hit 51.5% of their threes as a team, while the Pelicans could only make 21.4% of their triples.

Julius Randle led all scorers with 32 points, and Alec Burks came off the bench to add 21 points in a 116-106 victory. The Pelicans’ bench went 1-of-12 from downtown.

Randle exploded for 44 points in the Knicks’ 117-109 road win over the Mavericks on Friday night. R.J. Barrett added 24 points as the Knicks shot 51.2% from the floor and 50% from outside the arc. Luka Doncic had 22 points and 19 assists, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts.

The Pelicans have been below .500 since early January. They haven’t been able to go on any long winning streaks this season, as their defense is one of the worst in the NBA.

New Orleans had won three straight games prior to its loss to New York on Wednesday night. The Pelicans knocked off the 76ers, Cavaliers, and Kings in a four-day stretch.

Zion Williamson had 37 points against the Sixers and 38 points against the Cavaliers, but it’s been Brandon Ingram that has led the Pelicans in scoring the last three games.

Ingram had 34 points against the Wizards on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough as the Pelicans fell 117-115 in overtime. Russell Westbrook had as many points as New Orleans in overtime, and Williamson fouled out after just 31 minutes of play.

Pelicans vs. Knicks Head-to-Head

  • Apr. 14, 2021 - Knicks 116 at Pelicans 106, New York +2, Over 219

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 25-31 SU, 25-31 ATS, 36-20 OU
  • Road: 9-17 SU, 11-15 ATS, 14-12 OU

Williamson has lived up to the hype in his second season. Williamson is already one of the league’s best offensive threats with 26.7 PPG and 7.1 RPG. He is making 61.5% of his field goals as the Pelicans’ leading scorer to be one of the league leaders in PER.

However, his defense has left a lot to be desired, leading to Williamson getting in foul trouble at times.

The presence of Ingram has given Williamson a veteran to lean on and a big man to help take some of the pressure off. Ingram is averaging 24.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 4.8 APG to help out across the board. He is making 46.9% of his field goals and 38.4% of his three-point attempts on the season.

Guard play has been an issue for the Pelicans this season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Josh Hart are both going to miss this game, so the pressure will be on Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe.

Ball has been somewhat efficient although he doesn’t play good defense. He leads the Pelicans with 5.6 APG and is making 37.6% of his threes. However, Bledsoe has not been good. Bledsoe is making just 40.8% of his field goals and 34.5% of his treys.

The Pelicans rank 26th in scoring defense (115.0 PPG). Opponents are hitting 38.9% of their threes against this team, and they rank second-to-last in terms of opponents’ effective field goal percentage. The only thing they really do well is limit opponents’ free throw chances, as they don’t force a lot of turnovers.

New York Knicks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 30-27 SU, 35-21-1 ATS, 24-33 OU
  • Home: 17-10 SU, 16-10-1 ATS, 12-15 OU

Randle is having the most productive season of his career. He is averaging career-highs in points (23.6 PPG), rebounds (10.2 RPG), and assists (6.0 APG), and he leads the Knicks in all three of those categories too.

The University of Kentucky product has had at least 32 points in three straight games, and he has had a hot hand from distance during this stretch.

The second leading scorer on the Knicks is Barrett. He struggled as a rookie last season, but he is playing much better in his second year. Barrett is making 44.8% of his field goals and 38.1% of his threes for 17.3 PPG. The former Duke standout is a strong rebounder for a guard too with 5.7 RPG.

The only other real offensive threat is Burks. The veteran guard has largely been used off the bench, and he is averaging 12.6 PPG. However, Burks is unavailable after being placed on the COVID list prior to Friday’s game.

Defense has been the key to New York’s successful season. Thibodeau is known as one of the best defensive minds in the league, and this roster has bought in after so many frustrating years under owner James Dolan.

The Knicks have the best scoring defense in the league (104.3 PPG), and they also rank first in opponent three-point percentage and opponent shooting percentage.

Key Injuries

New Orleans Pelicans

  • C Jaxson Hayes: Back - Probable
  • SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Ankle - Out
  • SG Josh Hart: Thumb - Out

New York Knicks

  • SG Alec Burks: Quarantine - Out
  • C Mitchell Robinson: Foot - Out

Pelicans vs. Knicks Prediction

The Knicks went into New Orleans and beat the Pelicans a few nights ago. They are a tough match-up for the Pelicans because of their great perimeter defense, so Williamson and Ingram will have to play well on the interior for the visitors to get the win.

Score Prediction: Knicks 111, Pelicans 102
Best Bet: New York