Game Preview: Knicks at Pelicans, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024 11:00 AM
Knicks aim to extend their winning ways against the poor Pelicans of New Orleans.
After demolishing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, the New York Knicks (17-10) travel to the bayou today to battle the New Orleans Pelicans (5-23) at the Smoothie King Center.
Indeed, Karl-Anthony Towns and company handed the respectable T'Wolves their worst loss of the season, 133-107, and plan to continue their momentum against a struggling Pels team that has dropped five straight. This will mark New York's second game of the season against NOLA. They won the first 118-85 in a laugher at Madison Square Garden. In that affair, Mikal Bridges had 31 points to lead all scorers. With the win, the Knicks moved to 12-8 on the season. CJ McCollum led the visitors with 13 points. It was that sort of game.
Most recently, New Orleans was clubbed into submission by the Houston Rockets, 133-113. Today, their starting backcourt will feature Dejounte Murray and McCollum. Murray has averaged 16.4 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.4 rebounds in 11 games this season, having missed time due to injury. Once renowned for his defense—he leads the squad with a 115 D-Rating—Murray is shooting an abysmal 29% from deep. Meanwhile, the veteran wine connoisseur McCollum has averaged 20.9 points with 33% long-range shooting.
NOLA's frontcourt will include Trey Murphy III (18.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG), Herbert Jones (12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG), and their rookie center, Yves Missi (6'11", 235 lbs). The latter is scoring 9.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. I liked him in the draft.
Out for the Pels today will be Zion Williamson, recovering from his hamstring; Brandon Ingram with a significant low left ankle sprain; and Karlo Matković, nursing a back issue. Jose Alvarado (hamstring) and Daniel Theis (personal) are both questionable.
Prediction
ESPN.com likes the Knicks at 68%. We like it. Of course, there can always be x-factors that contribute to a unexpected loss: travel woes, holiday shopping anxiety, Draft Kings (I kid, I kid). Do the Pelicans do anything well, statistically-speaking? Well, sure—they're sixth in the league for offensive rebounds and steals. Yet, even if the Knicks turn the ball over a bunch, and even if OG Anunoby eats a dodgy tuna sandwich at the airport, New York's finest should pluck these southern birds bare. When the dust settles, our heroes will leave the Crescent City with some beads, some last-minute stocking stuffers, and a +16 victory.
Game Details
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV Broadcast: NBA TV, MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
