The New Orleans Pelicans (41-39, 26-14 Home) and their suffocating defense welcome the New York Knicks (47-33, 24-16 Away) and their explosive offense on Friday.
New York topped the Indiana Pacers 138-129 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, their fifth win in a row. Immanuel Quickley led the way with 39 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
The Knicks are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. New Orleans won on Wednesday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 138-131 in overtime. Herbert Jones had 35 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, leading the team. The Pelicans are eighth in the Western Conference.
This is the last meeting of the season between the teams. After winning the only earlier season matchup against New Orleans 128-106 at Madison Square Garden on February 25, New York will be seeking a season sweep. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Brandon Ingram had 19 points in defeat. Randle and Jalen Brunson, averaging 25.1 and 24.0 points per game, respectively, are leading the Knicks in scoring this season. Randle also has grabbed 10.0 rebounds per game, 10th-most in the league, while Brunson has dished 6.2 assists per game.
CJ McCollum’s 20.8 points per game have powered the Pels on offense. McCollum also has tallied 5.8 assists per game. Jonas Valanciunas has pulled down 10.1 rebounds per game. The Knicks rank fourth in the NBA in offensive efficiency, while the Pelicans are fifth in defensive efficiency.
The Knicks have had the advantage in the last 10 trips to Smoothie King Center, winning six. New York is 7-3 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +6.7 (122.3-115.6). For the season, the Knicks are averaging 115.9 points per game, compared to 112.8 for opponents.
New Orleans has gone 8-2 over the last 10, scoring 118.5 points per game on average while holding opponents to 106.1 (+12.4 margin). The Pelicans are averaging 114.5 ppg for the full season while allowing 112.6.
KNICKS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Quentin Grimes: 32.8 | 16.4 | +16.4
Julius Randle: 21.0 | 39.2 | -18.2
Points per game:
Immanuel Quickley: 27.8 | 14.6 | +13.2
Julius Randle: 14.5 | 25.1 | -10.6
Rebounds per game:
Julius Randle: 4.5 | 10.0 | -5.5
Assists per game:
Julius Randle: 2.0 | 4.1 | -2.1
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Herbert Jones: 23.6 | 16.3 | +7.3
Zion Williamson: 0.0 | 36.3 | -36.3
Points per game:
Trey Murphy III: 20.4 | 14.2 | +6.2
Zion Williamson: 0.0 | 25.1 | -25.1
Rebounds per game:
Zion Williamson: 0.0 | 6.7 | -6.7
Assists per game:
Brandon Ingram: 8.8 | 5.8 | +3.0
CJ McCollum: 3.6 | 5.8 | -2.2
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NY Knicks +8.5 (-110)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NBA hub page for all your basketball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
