Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks - November 18, 2024

As the Washington Wizards roll into Madison Square Garden to face off against the New York Knicks, fans are in for an intriguing matchup. The Knicks have been established as -12.5-point favorites, and with a total set at 230.5, expectations are high for both teams.

The Knicks come into this game with a record of 7-6 and have shown offensive prowess, averaging approximately 115.7 points per game on a solid shooting percentage of 49.7%. Their three-point shooting stands at 37.8%, which is respectable and adds depth to their scoring options. However, they’ve struggled to cover spreads recently, going just 1-3-1 in their last five games at home.

On the other hand, the Wizards are having a rough season with a record of just 2-10 and currently riding an eight-game losing streak. Their offense has been lackluster, averaging around 110.8 points per game with a field goal percentage of only 44.1%. This underperformance is compounded by their struggles from beyond the arc (32.2%) and their tendency to commit turnovers—averaging nearly 15.8 per game.

When we look deeper into the defensive stats, it’s evident that both teams have room for improvement on that end of the floor as well. The Knicks allow about 42 rebounds per game while forcing around seven steals but struggle with turnovers themselves (nearly 13). Meanwhile, Washington gives up similar rebound numbers but is worse in terms of turnovers committed (over 15), leading to opportunities for opponents.

Given these trends and statistics, I predict that the Knicks will not only win this matchup but also cover the spread comfortably against a struggling Wizards team that has failed to find any rhythm lately. The combination of New York’s offensive efficiency paired with Washington’s defensive lapses should lead to plenty of scoring opportunities.

Moreover, looking at recent performances suggests that tonight’s total could exceed expectations as well; both teams have seen games go OVER frequently in recent outings—Washington specifically has gone OVER in 14 out of its last 20 games despite their struggles overall.

In conclusion, I foresee a dominant performance from the Knicks tonight where they capitalize on Washington’s weaknesses both offensively and defensively while also pushing past that total point line set by oddsmakers due to their own offensive capabilities combined with some likely defensive breakdowns from the Wizards’ side as they continue their search for answers during this tough stretch of losses.