NBA · Final

Knicks Edge Pelicans in Close Contest

130

125

Monday, December 29, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · Smoothie King Center

New York Knicks 130, New Orleans Pelicans 125, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

Next free pick (not the main pick)

The next free pick, for your email

Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.

Unlock today's pick in Telegram →

or by email

Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick

One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.

Get the daily free pick · See plans

Quick answers

Who won New York Knicks vs New Orleans Pelicans?

New York Knicks beat New Orleans Pelicans 130-125 at Smoothie King Center on December 29, 2025.

Who was favored in New York Knicks vs New Orleans Pelicans?

New York Knicks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -345 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 130-125 at the Smoothie King Center on December 30, 2025. This victory marked the Knicks' second consecutive win against the Pelicans this season, extending their lead in the series to 2-0. The Knicks, boasting a strong away record of 23-9, came into the game with an impressive performance in their last ten games, winning eight of them and averaging 119.0 points while allowing 115.2. In contrast, the Pelicans, with a home record of 8-26, had struggled recently, losing three straight games and averaging 121.0 points scored while allowing 120.7 in their last ten outings.

The game was characterized by a series of scoring plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Zion Williamson of the Pelicans made key free throws late in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 126-125. However, Jalen Brunson responded with a driving layup, pushing the Knicks' lead to 128-125. Williamson then scored again, but Miles McBride sealed the game for New York by converting four consecutive free throws, bringing the final score to 130-125.

In terms of injury status, both teams had players listed as day-to-day. The Pelicans had Micah Peavy and Bryce McGowens dealing with rest and a toe issue, respectively. The Knicks faced uncertainty with Mohamed Diawara, who was managing a finger issue, and Jalen Brunson, who had a wrist concern.

The betting market reflected the Knicks' strong position, with DraftKings setting the spread at 8.5 points in favor of New York and a total of 247.5 for the game. The Knicks were favored to win with a moneyline of -345, while the Pelicans were listed at +275.

Weather conditions were not a factor in the indoor venue, allowing both teams to focus solely on their performance. Fans watching the game were treated to a display of skill and competitiveness, particularly in the fourth quarter, where every possession mattered. The Knicks' ability to execute under pressure and the Pelicans' effort to rally back made for an exciting finish.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	NY -8.5	247.5 o -110 / u -110	New York Knicks -345 · New Orleans Pelicans +275

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Micah PeavyDay-To-DayRestNew Orleans Pelicans
Bryce McGowensDay-To-DayToeNew Orleans Pelicans
Mohamed DiawaraDay-To-DayFingerNew York Knicks
Jalen BrunsonDay-To-DayWristNew York Knicks

Leaders

PointsZion Williamson32New Orleans Pelicans
AssistsSaddiq Bey6New Orleans Pelicans
ReboundsDerik Queen9New Orleans Pelicans
PointsJalen Brunson28New York Knicks
AssistsJalen Brunson10New York Knicks
ReboundsKarl-Anthony Towns12New York Knicks

Recent form

New Orleans Pelicans

Last 10: 5-5Streak L3121 scored · 120.7 allowed per game4-3 at home

L114-123vs Phoenix SunsDec 28
L108-115vs Phoenix SunsDec 27
L118-141at Cleveland CavaliersDec 24
W119-113vs Dallas MavericksDec 23
W128-109vs Indiana PacersDec 21
W133-128vs Houston RocketsDec 19
W114-104at Chicago BullsDec 15
W143-120vs Portland Trail BlazersDec 12
L132-135vs San Antonio SpursDec 9
L101-119at Brooklyn NetsDec 6

New York Knicks

Last 10: 8-2Streak W2119 scored · 115.2 allowed per game4-1 away

W128-125at Atlanta HawksDec 28
W126-124vs Cleveland CavaliersDec 25
L104-115at Minnesota TimberwolvesDec 24
W132-125vs Miami HeatDec 21
L107-116vs Philadelphia 76ersDec 20
W114-113at Indiana PacersDec 19
W124-113vs San Antonio SpursDec 17
W132-120at Orlando MagicDec 13
W117-101at Toronto RaptorsDec 10
W106-100vs Orlando MagicDec 7

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Boston	-	26	W2	.683	56
New York	3	29	L1	.646	53
Toronto	10	36	W1	.561	46
Philadelphia	11	37	W2	.549	45
Brooklyn	36	62	L3	.244	20
San Antonio	-	20	L1	.756	62
Houston	10	30	W1	.634	52
New Orleans	36	56	L2	.317	26
Dallas	36	56	W1	.317	26
Memphis	37	57	L8	.305	25

Box score

Stat	New York Knicks	New Orleans Pelicans
Field goals	46-95	44-96
Field goal %	48	46
Three-pointers	20-44	14-36
Three-point %	45	39
Free throws	18-19	23-27
Free throw %	95	85
Rebounds	42	50
Offensive rebounds	10	16
Defensive rebounds	32	34
Assists	35	27
Steals	8	6
Blocks	4	8
Turnovers	8	11
Team turnovers	1	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	12
Fast-break points	16	10
Points in the paint	42	54
Fouls	19	15
Largest lead	5	10
Lead changes	12	12
Time in front	16	78

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter83-90Kevin McCullar Jr. makes driving layup (Jalen Brunson assists)
3rd Quarter83-93Trey Murphy III makes 25-foot three point jumper (Saddiq Bey assists)
3rd Quarter85-93Mikal Bridges makes two point shot (Jalen Brunson assists)
3rd Quarter88-93OG Anunoby makes 23-foot running jump shot (Kevin McCullar Jr. assists)
3rd Quarter88-95Jordan Poole makes driving layup
3rd Quarter88-96Jordan Poole makes free throw 1 of 1
3rd Quarter91-96Guerschon Yabusele makes 22-foot three point jumper (Jalen Brunson assists)
3rd Quarter91-99Micah Peavy makes 25-foot three point jumper (Yves Missi assists)
3rd Quarter94-99Jordan Clarkson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jalen Brunson assists)
3rd Quarter94-101Jordan Poole makes two point shot
3rd Quarter96-101Trey Jemison III makes 4-foot floating jump shot (Guerschon Yabusele assists)
3rd Quarter96-102Jordan Poole makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter96-103Jordan Poole makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter98-103Jordan Clarkson makes 17-foot step back jumpshot (Tyler Kolek assists)
4th Quarter101-103Tyler Kolek makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mikal Bridges assists)
4th Quarter101-106Jordan Poole makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kevon Looney assists)
4th Quarter103-106Jordan Clarkson makes driving layup (Tyler Kolek assists)
4th Quarter106-106Miles McBride makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tyler Kolek assists)
4th Quarter109-106Karl-Anthony Towns makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tyler Kolek assists)
4th Quarter109-107Derik Queen makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter109-109Derik Queen makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
4th Quarter109-111Yves Missi makes tip in dunk
4th Quarter112-111Jalen Brunson makes 25-foot running pullup jump shot (Mikal Bridges assists)
4th Quarter112-114Trey Murphy III makes 26-foot three pointer (Derik Queen assists)
4th Quarter114-114Miles McBride makes driving layup (Jalen Brunson assists)
4th Quarter114-117Trey Murphy III makes 28-foot three point jumper (Derik Queen assists)
4th Quarter117-117Jalen Brunson makes 25-foot three pointer
4th Quarter117-119Trey Murphy III makes layup (Derik Queen assists)
4th Quarter120-119Miles McBride makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mikal Bridges assists)
4th Quarter120-121Zion Williamson makes 3-foot two point shot
4th Quarter122-121OG Anunoby makes 1-foot driving dunk (Miles McBride assists)
4th Quarter124-121Jalen Brunson makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot (Miles McBride assists)
4th Quarter124-122Zion Williamson makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter124-123Zion Williamson makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter126-123Jalen Brunson makes driving layup
4th Quarter126-125Zion Williamson makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter127-125Miles McBride makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter128-125Miles McBride makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter129-125Miles McBride makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter130-125Miles McBride makes free throw 2 of 2