With the new round of NBA encounters kicking off, the storming contest between the returning New York Knicks and the scrappy Charlotte Hornets will steal the spotlight. After all, the Knicks were indeed rather strong last season and are focused on extending their winning streak, while the Hornets are quite hungry for revenge this time around. With the fresh season opening, fans and punters are already searching for the best NBA picks and tips for this game to have it officially marked as a potential goldmine for the prop bets.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets 10/6/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Etihad Arena |
| TV: | NBAt |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
New York Knicks (50-32 Last season) vs. Charlotte Hornets (21-61 Last season)
The New York Knicks, akin to the Toronto Raptors in their ability to execute under pressure, showcased a formidable season with a 50-32 standing. With a scoring average of 112.8 points per game and a 46.5% shooting accuracy, the Knicks have demonstrated resilience and strategic prowess reminiscent of playoff contenders. Their robust performance, especially on the road where they were 23-17 against the spread, indicates a team well-prepared for challenges, embodying the reliability and execution often seen in teams like the Raptors.
In contrast, the Charlotte Hornets’ season mirrored the challenges often faced by teams like the Milwaukee Bucks when rebuilding. With a 21-61 record, the Hornets are in a phase of development, focusing on enhancing their gameplay. Their scoring average stood at 106.6 points per game with a close 46% field goal percentage. However, their struggle on the road, with a 15-26 record against the spread, highlights areas needing improvement. Like the Bucks in transitional periods, the Hornets are poised to refine their strategies and bolster their performance in upcoming seasons.
Jalen Brunson (PG) vs. LaMelo Ball (PG)
Last season, Jalen Brunson, point guard with the Knicks, played exceptionally well, averaging 28.7 points and 6.7 assists every game. He also had tremendous quickness and timely made several plays that mattered on the Knicks team’s offense. With Jalen, any day, his slicing ability to rotate and create shots through the defense can kill any defense. Jalen averaged 2.4 turnovers per game last season which means less the next time he plays, and as is efficient.
Considering LaMelo Ball, the speedy point guard of the Hornets, he is scoring profusely and assisting more. He attended just twenty two games last year, but such statistics of 23.9 points and 8 assists a game average were great for a rookie. Thanks to his somewhat of a clever but aggressive style of play, he helps in the defense (1.8spg) which in turn helps the Hornets attack as well. Nonetheless, Ball’s high turnovers and fouls may prove to be his downfall against a systematic defense like the New York Knicks.
Considering the importance of these two players in the game, their interaction compares to be a decisive factor. The effectiveness of Brunson scoring regularly combined with Ball’s skills will help to manage the pace of the contest as well as its outcome. The matchup between these point guards shall be focal in showcasing their strength whilst exploiting some of their weaknesses, and will surely be such an intriguing battle to witness.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: New York Knicks -3.5 (-110), Total Odds: 217.5
The latest odds are in favor of the Knicks this time around with a -3.5 spread owing to the fact that they had had a good last season and also the current one. The over/under betting prop was set at 217.5 points primarily because both teams have been going OVER in their last games.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
Considering how the last few games played by the Knicks have gone, they have been solid and in particular the offense is in a good form considering that the total points has gone over in their last 5 games. Their ability to cover the spread even while on the road, makes them a better team to bet for this game and for spread wager.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends
Let’s change that attitude with a look at the other aspects. The Hornets, despite not being very good as a team, were able to score more points than compared to their other games with the totals also going OVER in their last 5 matches. This trend may also suggest a much more attacking approach which will be very useful against the Knicks who are good at defending.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets 10/6/24 Betting Picks
Following the analysis of the performances and the tendencies of the two teams, the New York Knicks seem to have the edge in this contest. Their remarkable ability on both offensive and defensive ends combined with good betting statistics, especially away from home, makes them an attractive option. For all their problems, the Hornets have sometimes been rather scoring efficient, which may help keep the game close.
Going by this analysis, it is prudent to put money on the Knicks to beat the -3.5 line. The over on 217.5 also appears to be an attractive proposition asking only for 2 more points from each team. If you are into doing additional bets, you may consider props on Jalen Brunson’s total points scored. Pay close attention to these premium matchup tips for possibly explosive action.