NBA Basketball Betting – New York Knicks at Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards (0-3 SU, 1-2 ATS) are going to try to put up their first win of the season tonight as they play host to the New York Knicks (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) in an NBA game that is scheduled to get underway at 7 PM ET at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
Friday, November 7
BetUS NBA Basketball Sports Betting Odds: WASHINGTON -5.5, Total 209
Here are some of the NBA pro basketball sports betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* NY has covered one of its last seven games
* NY has lost 18 of its last 25 games SU
* NY has played four of its last six games UNDER the total
* NY has lost nine of its last ten roadgames SU
* NY has played seven of its last nine road games OVER the total
* WASH has covered three of its last ten games
* WASH has lost five of its last six games SU
* WASH has played four of its last six games OVER the total
* WASH has played 13 of its last 16 home games OVER the total
Also….
* NY has covered four of the last five meetings
* Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total
* NY has covered eight of the last 11 meetings as the road team
* WASH has won five of the last seven meetings SU as the home team
* Four of the last six meetings in Washington have gone UNDER the total
So what is the problem with the Wizards? Well, for one thing, they have not been able to defend the opposition with any consistency, giving up 50% shooting to the opposition. It’s very tough for them on the inside, as long as they have to use Etan Thomas, who has returned this season from a heart problem, at the center spot while Brendan Haywood is unavailable. And though a lot of people think the team actually might be better off playing without Gilbert Arenas, who is out for a while after knee surgery, the fact is that the team could use his scoring punch if they are going to be so porous on the defensive end.
Coach Eddie Jordan, despondent (no, make that apoplectic) after the team’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, hinted that there are going to be lineup changes if things don’t turn themselves around. Indeed, although it is unlikely he will be replaced by anyone, Antawn Jamison has shot only 38%, and it may not be long before JaVale McGee, the rookie shot-blocker who had nine points in 13 minutes the other night, gets a lot more playing time.
The Knicks are currently through their own difficulties, with a dose of drama. Stephon Marbury, the guard who wants out of town, now says he wants to practice with his old high school team to stay in shape. This is in reaction to the fact that the Knicks, as per orders from new boss Donnie Walsh, will not trade or release Marbury, but are not going to play him either. Coach Mike D’Antoni also removed rookie Danilo Gallinari from the regular rotation because he has contributed little and is “not physically ready.” This is going to be the story with some of the Knicks players, many of whom are not going to fit in with D’Antoni’s system.
New York’s only road trip thus far was not impressive, as the Knicks took a 116-87 beating from Philly, shooting just 33% from the field, It may not be worse here, but it will be enough. We’ll lay the points with the Wizards, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA pro basketball betting odds.
