New York Knicks (13-9) vs. Phoenix Suns (12-10)
New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns 12/15/23 – The New York Knicks face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night in a battle between Eastern and Western conference foes. The Knicks have won three of their last five contests, fueled by the standout play of newly acquired point guard Jalen Brunson, who leads the team in scoring and assists. However, New York has struggled defensively for much of the year. As for Phoenix, they’ll be hungry to get back on track after dropping five straight prior to their last game. The key matchup to watch will be Brunson against Suns superstar Kevin Durant. Fans and experts alike are eager for this clash at the Footprint Center, with the game being featured on ESPN, providing an exciting spectacle of expert NBA analysis free for enthusiasts.
The New York Knicks’ success this season has been powered by an efficient offense ranking fifth in the NBA in points per game. Brunson and forward Julius Randle’s combined 46 points per game pace the attack. However, New York allows the eighth-most points in the league, illustrating deficiencies on the defensive end.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns remain dangerous despite recent struggles, thanks in large part to the return of Kevin Durant from injury three weeks ago. Phoenix owns the league’s seventh-best offense in terms of field goal percentage. Stopping easy buckets has been an issue though, as opponents are shooting over 47 percent from the field against the Suns defense.
New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 15, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Footprint Center |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jalen Brunson (PG) vs. Kevin Durant (PF)
Jalen Brunson is enjoying a breakout year in his first season with the Knicks, establishing himself as a top-tier point guard. He’s averaging career-highs in points, assists, rebounds, and minutes played. Brunson has taken on a leading role in New York’s offense, excelling in the pick-and-roll and getting to the free throw line often. He’ll look to attack Phoenix’s defense early and often.
Kevin Durant returned to the Suns lineup three weeks ago after missing the start of the year due to injury. He hasn’t missed a beat, picking up where he left off last season by averaging over 30 points per game on elite shooting splits. Even at age 34, Durant remains unguardable given his 7-foot frame, deep shooting range, and ability to get buckets at all three levels. He presents a huge matchup problem for New York.
This battle of All-Star scorers could determine the game. If Brunson continues his aggressiveness getting into the paint, he could force Durant to exert energy on defense. But if Durant catches fire from the perimeter, the Knicks may have no counter. The supporting casts around Brunson and Durant must step up as well.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The current betting odds are yet to be determined, but considering the teams’ recent form and head-to-head statistics, this matchup promises to be closely contested.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
The Knicks have been an interesting team to follow from a betting perspective lately. They enter this game with a 13-9 overall record and a 10-11-1 record against the spread. Over their last five contests, New York is 3-2 straight up but just 2-3 against the number. The over has also hit in four of the Knicks’ past five matchups. For the full season, New York has been strong against the spread away from home, posting a 7-5 ATS record in road games so far.
Phoenix Suns Betting Trends
Meanwhile, Phoenix has struggled in recent games, especially when it comes to covering spreads. The Suns are just 12-10 straight up this year, and an even worse 7-14-1 against the spread. They are on a 1-4 straight up and 0-5 ATS run over their previous five contests. However, Phoenix has been very strong at home when it comes to high-scoring affairs, with the over hitting in nine of their last 12 games at Footprint Center. For the full season, the Suns are 6-5 against the spread in home matchups.
New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns 12/15/23 Betting Picks
Considering the current form and stats, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair. The Knicks’ strong road record against the spread and the Suns’ tendency to be involved in high-scoring home games suggest that betting on a high total might be a wise choice.
When it comes to picking a winner, the Suns’ home advantage and offensive efficiency give them a slight edge. However, the Knicks’ resilience and ability to cover the spread on the road make them a tempting pick for the spread. In terms of prop bets and over/under, focusing on the total points and key player performance props could offer value.
The Suns’ home-court advantage and offensive prowess might just tip the scales in their favor in what promises to be an exciting and closely contested game. However, expect the Knicks to put up a formidable fight, making this game a must-watch for NBA fans. Don’t miss these expert premium tips for a comprehensive understanding of what to expect in this thrilling matchup.
Free Pick and Prediction: Phoenix Suns 118, New York Knicks 112