Free Pick: Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks o210.0:
Mon November 9th 2009 7:35p
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On Monday night, the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks crack skulls on the hardwood. The oddsmakers have made the Jazz modest favorites in this one, but the number I’m focusing in on is the posted ‘total’ of 210, which is too low for my money.

It’s an understatement to say that both of these teams have been struggling defensively. Utah just conceded a whopping 104 points at home to a Sacramento team that was playing without its best shooter. The 104.0 points per game that the Jazz are allowing ranks 21st in the NBA. They’re allowing opposing teams to knock down 45.9% of their shots from downtown. However, save the clunker of a 96-85 loss to Dallas back on November 3rd, the offense for HC Jerry Sloan has done its job. Yes, he would’ve loved to see a lot more points hit the board against the Kings on Saturday, but 113 points against San Antonio proves that this team can score and score in bunches.

Then there are the Knicks, who not only play an up and down game like no one else in the Eastern Conference, but they also do a very poor job of playing defense. The Bucks, playing without G Michael Redd, dropped 102 points on New York’s ‘D’ on Saturday night, easily the most embarrassing performance for HC Mike D’Antoni’s team this season. The Knicks have allowed every opponent to score at least 100 points this year, and that’s very unlikely to change on Monday night.

It’s not like New York doesn’t have the ability to score as well. The team is averaging 100.6 points per game, and will likely finish well above that by the team the ‘09-’10 season is over. However, the unit has been held to an average of 89 points in its L/3 games, a number which is incredibly unacceptable by Knicks fans.

In addition to the fact that both teams should be able to run to this ‘total’, they can both shoot free throws as well. The Knicks rank 3rd in the NBA at 81.9% from the charity stripe, while the Jazz are just behind them in 4th.

The ‘over’ has cashed in ten times in Utah’s L/12 road games overall and is 10-4 in its L/14 games following an ATS defeat. Even though the Knicks have played 18 of their L/25 games ‘under’ the number, ‘over’ bettors have cashed in nine times in New York’s L/12 home games when it is a dog by less than five points. The last outing between these teams ended in a 112-104 victory for the Jazz. Expect at least that many points on the scoreboard on Monday. Book it!!!

Play: Utah Jazz/New York Knicks Over