Pro Hoops on Thursday and we will see the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the east coast to take on the New York Knicks. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on TNT. Currently the Odds for the game have Oklahoma City favored by 7.5 points while the total sits at 207.
Analysis: Coach Scott Brooks knew his team had to "regroup and figure out it out defensively" after giving up 113.7 points per game during an three-game skid from Feb. 12-20, and the Northwest-leading Thunder (44-16) have not disappointed. They've held their last six opponents to an average of 95.2 points on 40.8 percent shooting. Guard Russell Westbrook has led the resurgence by averaging 32.2 points during the six-game run, putting up at least 37 points on three occasions. Oklahoma City, which has won five of the last six matchups with New York, is three games back of the San Antonio Spurs in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference.Kevin Durant is in position to capture his fourth consecutive scoring title, leading Anthony by a slight margin (28.6 to 28.2). But Durant has been showing off other facets of his expanding game of late, registering a pair of triple-doubles and averaging 10.2 rebounds over his last seven games. He has three triple-doubles this season after failing to record one in his first five seasons. Oklahoma City ranks among the league's leaders with 15 turnovers per game, but it tied a league record by committing only two in the win over the Lakers. The Thunder, second in the Western Conference, rank among the NBA leaders with 17.1 fast-break points per game, which comes as no surprise considering Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are finishing many of those.
The New York Knicks passed their first taste with an ailing Carmelo Anthony sidelined, but the degree of difficulty will scrape the Madison Square Garden rafters if the star forward can't go in Thursday's matchup against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. Anthony remained mum on the condition of his knee, but coach Mike Woodson said the stiffness and soreness that the team's leading scorer has been feeling was being caused by fluid in the joint. Turnovers were also an issue for New York in Wednesday's 87-77 victory in Detroit. The Knicks entered the game committing a league-low 11.5, but they had 11 in the first quarter and 21 in the game - one short of the team's season high. Forward Amar'e Stoudemire again helped filled the offensive void left by Anthony's absence, tying his season high with 22 points off the bench. Stoudemire, who played a season-high 32 minutes, has scored in double figures in six consecutive games and is shooting 71.9 percent in that span. The Knicks, 9-3 at home against the West, have lost eight of 10 in this series, but they won 112-98 in the Thunder's last trip to MSG on Dec. 22, 2010.
Pick: The Under is 5-1 the last 6 in this series and the last 2 between these teams failed to put up more than 199 points. I see the Thunder coming out a bit flat offensively in this one, after playing the Nuggets, Clippers and Lakers in their last 3 games. The Thunder offense has been unstoppable in their last 8 games, averaging 112.5 ppg over that stretch, but two over their lowest outputs during that stretch were vs Chicago (102) and Miami), two good defensive teams and the only teams in that stretch vs the Eastern Conference. Now they face a Knicks team that is 9th in the league in points allowed, allowing just 96 ppg. The Knicks have been even better defensively off late, allowing 93.1 ppg in their last 6 games overall, and they have allowed just 95.1 ppg at home fr the year. The Knicks offense was great earlier in the year, but teams are figuring them out and starting to lockdown their 3 point shooting. THe KNicks do average 101.7 ppg at home, but in their last 10 overall they have scored just 95.1 ppg and have shot just 33.3% from long range i their last 5 games. The Thunder defense is not that great but and they do allow 99.1 ppg n the road, but I just don't see this Knick offense getting to 100 off them tonight. Both defense should have their way in this one as this game struggles to reach 198 points.
NBA Free Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks Betting
What NBA bettors need to know about Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks on Thursday (3/07/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Vegas Runner with host Steve Fezzik.