Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
United States: NBA Basketball
Monday 6 February 2012 - Tip Off 7:30pm ET
12:30am (British Standard Time)

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Preview

The New York Knicks (9-15) have to be the biggest disappointment in the NBA so far this season, despite having three top players in their starting rotation. The pressure is building on Mike D'Antoni with rumours suggesting he is one defeat away from being out of a job, as the Knicks have struggled Offensively without a true Point Guard since cutting Chauncey Billups at the beginning of the season to make room for Tyson Chandler.

Baron Davis was brought in but he is yet to make his first appearance as he recovers from injury, while the likes of JR Smith and Aaron Brooks are potential players that will be signed once the Chinese League is completed, but all of this may be too late for D'Antoni.

However, there were plenty of positives from the win over New Jersey on Saturday as Jeremy Lin had his best performance of the season and he could be used in the PG position if he can continue that high level of play. Lin has provided a real spark when coming off the bench in the last couple of games and the Knicks will look for the Harvard graduate to continue that here.

New York will also be hoping that Carmelo Anthony can get himself out of the mini-funk he has been suffering, having recorded just 11 points in the last game and also shooting about 10% worse from the field this season than he has in his career. There have been signs the Knicks are at least getting a better feeling on the Offensive side of the ball and getting the best out of Amare Stoudemire who has struggled so far this season.

The Knicks fans will come to Madison Square Garden with a real expectation that the team can beat the Utah Jazz (13-9) who have a winning record, but have struggled on the road so far.

Utah will come into this one full of confidence after knocking off the LA Lakers in their last game. Al Jefferson had a big game in that win and has enjoyed plenty of success at the Garden where he scored 36 points last season and also grabbed 12 boards. Earl Watson will be in the rotation despite suffering from an ankle injury.

Head to Head

New York and Utah split the season series 1-1 last season, with both home teams scoring exactly 131 points in their wins.

While they split the games straight up, the Knicks won both games against the spread and have now won the last 13 games in the series against the spread.

New York are 5-1 straight up in their last 6 games at the Garden against Utah.

New York are 4-8 against the spread at home this season, Utah are 2-5 on the road.

The Knicks are 6-9 against the spread as the favourite, Utah are 5-6-1 as the underdog.

Other Interesting Trends

New York are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 games as the home favourite of between 0.5 and 4.5 points.

They have lost their last 5 games against the spread against Western Conference opponents.

Utah are 2-5 against the spread in their last 7 games as the road underdog.

They are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Prediction

I am going to back the New York Knicks to cover the spread on offer tonight for the following reasons:

First, the Knicks have dominated meetings against the spread when playing Utah and they have won 5 of their last 6 at Madison Square Garden against the Jazz.

Second, Utah have lost their last 5 road games when playing the first of back to back nights scheduled, going 1-3-1 against the spread in those games.

Third, New York have been playing a lot better in recent games than at any point this season and that is shown by their 4-1 record against the spread in their last 5 games.

Preview Note: News has just reached me that Amare Stoudemire will not be playing in this game tonight as his older brother has passed away in a car accident... The spread has come down now that the news has been released

The Pick :

New York Knicks 103-97 Utah Jazz

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back the New York Knicks -4 Points @ 1.92 (Various)