The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have both been cashing tickets for OVER bettors lately. Six of New York’s last nine games have gone OVER the closing total and four straight Detroit games have hit the OVER as well. The total opened at 217 for tonight’s game but has already gotten into the low 220s.
- The total has gone OVER in the Pistons’ last four games (avg. combined score: 229.25).
- The total has gone OVER in five of the Knicks’ last six games on the road (avg. combined score: 233.17).
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York’s last 6 games when playing Detroit.
All the Stats Point to a High-Scoring Game
Six of the Knicks’ last seven games have had combined scores OVER 220 points as New York has hit its stride with three consecutive victories. The Knicks’ season average is 108.6 points per game but in their last three games, they’ve been able to increase their output to 111.3 points per game.
For the Pistons, they have been shooting the lights out recently, scoring 119.3 points per game on the strength of 39.3 percent shooting from three-point range in their last three games – up 5.5 percentage points from their season average.
These improved shooting stats combined with two teams in the bottom half of the league in terms of defensive metrics gives totals bettors a salacious formula for an OVER bet tonight. New York is averaging 113.5 points against per game with the Pistons marginally better at 110.9 points against.
I’ll Be Taking the OVER Bet In This Game
There are some games that you can overthink, but I don’t think a late-November Tuesday night game between the Knicks and the Pistons is one of those that needs to keep you scratching your head for too long.
We’ve got two teams that are loose defensively – ranked No. 23 and No. 25 in opponents’ field-goal percentage – and have been scoring at above their season average rate. Both teams are taking more than 23 personal fouls per game with Detroit second in the Association at 24.1 fouls per game.
The last three meetings and four of the last six between these two teams have gone OVER the closing total. With the totals trends mentioned above in the Shark Bites being a full 10 points higher than the Sportsbook total in this game, I’m comfortable betting the OVER.
