The Portland Trail Blazers and the New York Knicks are two of the surprise teams this season. The Blazers have shocked the league winning nine of their 11 games off the gates for one of the best records in the entire NBA. The Knicks’ surprise, meanwhile, is of the bad kind: losing nine of their 12 games, overall the fourth worst in the entire league.

The Knicks, which have suffered five straight defeats, will travel to Portland, where the Blazers are 5-1 for the season.

Across the board, the Knicks are one of the worst teams in the league in different categories. They rank 24th in scoring (93.3 PPG), 28th in rebounds (39.7 RPG) and 24th in assists (19.1 APG).

Meanwhile, the Blazers are on a romp, stringing 10 straight wins since a blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov 3. They capped off the their longest winning run since 2007 with a convincing win over the Golden State Warriors, 113-101 on Saturday.

The Knicks struggles can be attributed to poor effort, but the injury bug have bitten them hard as well. Starting center Tyson Chandler (fractured right fibula) is still out and starting point guard Raymond Felton is listed as day-to-day after missing the last three games because of a sore back.

Star forward Carmelo Anthony is 2nd in the league in scoring at 25.8 PPG but has had no consistent help from his teammates. Andrea Bargnani, who has started in lieu of Chandler at the starting center spot, averages 14.2 PPG but has again mediocre numbers off the glass grabbing just 4.9 RPG.

The Blazers uses teamwork to the hilt allowing them to average 104.0 PPG (6th in the NBA) and 23.2 APG (9th). They also take care of the boards (44.7 RPG - 8th) and play good defense (98.1 OPPG - 10th).

Portland has six players average eight points or better and four in double-figures scoring led by superstar LaMarcus Aldridge (22.3 PPG and 9.6 RPG) and Damian Lillard (19.9 PPG and 6.1 APG).

Betting Against the Spread (ATS)
Betting Lines: New York Knicks (+7.5) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (O/U: 195.5)

New York Knicks Trends
- Knicks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games
- Knicks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after a loss
- Knicks are 33-16-2 ATS in their last 51 games vs. Northwest division teams

Portland Trail Blazers Trends
 - Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. East teams
- Trail Blazers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. Atlantic division teams
- Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games

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