New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction for Monday, December 29, 2025
New York heads to the Smoothie King Center to face New Orleans at 8:00 PM ET in an interconference matchup. DraftKings lists the Knicks as 8.5-point road favorites with a -355 moneyline, while the Pelicans sit at +280. The total is posted at 239.5. New York has won three of its last four games and is coming off back-to-back close wins over Atlanta (128-125) and Cleveland (126-124). Score big in the NBA with our insider NBA picks.
Knicks Preview
The Knicks are producing 120.5 points per game while shooting 48% from the field, and that has carried them to a 22-9 record. Jalen Brunson continues to play at an All-NBA level with 29.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, setting the tone for the offense. Karl-Anthony Towns adds a strong interior presence with 21.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, giving New York second-chance opportunities. Ball movement has been a consistent strength, with the Knicks averaging 26.9 assists per game. Josh Hart remains out with an ankle injury, Landry Shamet is sidelined with a shoulder issue, and Miles McBride is listed as questionable.
Pelicans Preview
New Orleans enters this game at 8-25 and has dropped three straight, including consecutive home losses to Phoenix. The Pelicans are scoring 115.2 points per game, but that number is offset by allowing 122.6 points per contest, one of the weaker marks in the league. Trey Murphy III leads the team at 20.6 points per game and has been efficient from the floor and the line. Derik Queen contributes across the board with 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, but overall consistency has been lacking. Dejounte Murray remains out with an Achilles injury, and Herbert Jones is questionable, which further thins the roster.
Knicks vs Pelicans Pick
The pick here is Knicks -8.5. New York’s offense lines up well against a Pelicans team that has struggled to contain perimeter scoring and transition play. The Knicks also have the edge in execution late in games, which matters when spreads push toward double digits. Final score prediction: Knicks 128, Pelicans 116. The best sportsbooks are the best way to go when you are betting on the Knicks. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for the Pelicans with the Onyx Odds promo code. Getting the most out of your bets on Pelicans vs Knicks can be done by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
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Best Bets: Knicks -8.5 is the strongest play based on matchup and recent form. The Over 239.5 is also worth consideration given both teams’ scoring averages and New Orleans’ points allowed. Knicks moneyline can be used in parlays, but the value is limited at the current price.
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