NY Knicks (22-9) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8-25)
December 29, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +9.5; Over/Under: 243.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Monday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Knicks Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Knicks Pick.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
The New York Knicks have been on a tear as they’ve won 14 of their last 17 games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after sneaking past the Hawks in a 128-125 road win on Saturday. Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 36 points and 15 rebounds on eight of 15 shooting, Jalen Brunson added 34 points with five assists on 15 of 29 shooting while OG Anunoby chipped in with 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Knicks shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 43 from the 3-point line as they dominated from the start with 68 points in the first half to lead by as many as 18 points. However, they allowed the Hawks to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and needed Brunson to save them with.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have cooled off from their five-game win streak as they are now on a three-game losing streak after falling to the Suns in a 123-114 loss on Saturday. Trey Murphy III led the team with 24 points on six of 12 shooting, Zion Williamson added 22 points on eight of 11 shooting, Derik Queen scored 21 points with 11 rebounds while Jeremiah Fears chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 27 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Suns early on. They could never recover after getting outscored by 33-22 in the second quarter despite having five players score at least 17 points in a balanced scoring effort.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Knicks have lost five of their last six games as road favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The home team has won three of the Knicks’ last four games.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in five of their last six home games following a home loss.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won 19 of their last 20 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost 15 of their last 16 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Knicks’ last nine road games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the last five games between the Knicks and Pelicans have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III ranks 4th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.7) this season.
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded 11+ rebounds in three consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Mikal Bridges ranks 3rd in the league for fast break points (121) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (10.6).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (41.7).
- The Knicks rank T1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (10.2).
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for Q2 points per game this season (31.2).
Pelicans vs Knicks Prediction
The Knicks are still missing Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and they have Miles McBride listed as questionable, while the Pelicans have ruled out Herbert Jones and Dejounte Murray again. The Knicks were always going to be big favorites in this one, as they’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league. I think they can keep it going with a win and cover at this reasonable line against a stumbling Pelicans team coming off a third straight defeat.
