Zach Thompson details his preview and prediction for the Suns at Knicks matchup as part of Saturday’s nine-game NBA slate.
The first game of Saturday night’s NBA TV doubleheader should be a great matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks. Both teams have been scuffling a little bit on the road lately, but the Knicks will be home for this contest at Madison Square Garden. Let’s take a look at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook and examine my favorite pick for this Saturday night matchup.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Knicks are narrow 2.5-point home favorites in the bigger picture, with the point total set at 226.5. Check out my preview and prediction for tonight’s Suns at Knicks contest.
Knicks vs. Suns prediction, preview
These two teams met last Friday in Phoenix, and the Suns came out with the win, 112-107. Since then, both teams have lost their star point guards to ankle injuries, and both Jalen Brunson and Devin Booker are questionable for this matchup. If one plays and the other sits, that would give a major advantage to one side or the other, but with both uncertain, the matchup remains very close.
The Knicks are just coming home after dropping three of four games on their West Coast trip. They lost to the Kings on Wednesday when Brunson left after just a few minutes, and they also lost on Thursday without Brunson to the Warriors.
The Suns have also been struggling this week, as they left for a six-game road trip after beating the Knicks last Friday. They lost in Miami and Detroit earlier this week, with Booker getting injured on Tuesday before the team’s close loss to the Pistons on Thursday.
There’s optimism that the point guards could return to action for this matchup, which would definitely make it a more exciting game for the national TV audience. The teams have very similar records with the Knicks at 25-16 and the Suns at 24-17.
Mikal Bridges is in a potential revenge game against his former team, although he didn’t go off when he faced the Suns last week. There are some players in great spots to succeed, though, so check out my top player props for the matchup for more info.
Knicks vs. Suns pick, best bet
The main reason I’m going with the Knicks here is their excellent home record. They are 16-4 at home, while the Suns are now 10-12 on the road after losing the first two games on this trip. Conversely, the Suns are 14-5 at home and the Knicks are 8-12 on the road, so it makes sense that each team would win at home in this two-game season series.
If Booker and Brunson both play, Brunson’s return should give his team enough of an added boost to help them avenge the loss last week. The only way this pick feels risky is if Booker is back and Brunson sits out, but even then, the Knicks at home are a good play, although they are higher risk.
Best bet: New York Knicks -2.5 (-102)