Free NBA Pick: New Orleans Hornets -15.5
Fri Apr 4 ‘08 8:05p - Basketball Odds
The only team that the Knicks have beaten since the beginning of March is the lowly Miami Heat (twice), and even in those rare victories, the Knicks failed to cover the spread either time. In fact, the Knicks have only covered the spread four times in their last 17 games, a team that is clearly just playing out the string of another long, dismal season. The Knicks have been particularly bad on the road facing an opponent with a winning record, including losses by 26 at Orlando and by 29 at Dallas.

When New Orleans visited Madison Square Garden in early March, the Knicks kept the game competitive for 46 minutes, but allowed the Hornets to score the final ten points of the game for a 12 point victory. Playing in New Orleans, I wouldn’t expect this game to be nearly as close. After all, the Hornets have been absolutely dominant against weak foes at home, 24-13 ATS in New Orleans and a 33-18 ATS mark as a favorite.

Byron Scott’s squad has now won straight up and covered the spread in nine straight home games, winning eight of those games by double digit margins. As a big favorite of nine points or more (we can expect the Hornets to be laying doubles in this ballgame), the Hornets have gone 11-4 ATS, consistently taking care of business against their weaker foes. Look for that trend to continue in another blowout win on Friday Night in the Big Easy. Take New Orleans.  - Courtesy of Ted Sevransky

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