Washington Wizards will take on New York Knicks in an exciting early season clash at Madison Square Garden this Wednesday. As for the Wizards coming from a difficult season, they will find themselves up against a drastically improved Knicks squad from the previous season. It is quite important for the Wizards to establish their new campaign, enabling the Knicks to strengthen their claims as aspiring rivals in the top tier. This preseason, two teams at different ends of the success spectrum compete. And that makes it one of the main highlights in today’s top NBA free predictions.
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks 10/9/24 Game Info
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks 10/9/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | MSG |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Washington Wizards (15-67 Last season) vs. New York Knicks (50-32 Last season)
The Washington Wizards are preparing for a difficult campaign, aiming to surpass their last 15-67 performance. Interestingly, their road games have improved, amassing 22-16 ATS. Their fight when on the road suggests the chances of them being profitable as underdogs. One of the main figures, Kyle Kuzma, who is stable in baskets and rebounds, may start these efforts in this game. The Wizards can draw inspiration from turnaround seasons like the Houston Rockets, suggesting that a comeback could be within reach.
After a solid 50-32 campaign last season, the New York Knicks are set for another serious challenge in this year’s Eastern Conference. Their combined offensive and defensive execution is reminiscent of the more composed Orlando Magic of their better years. With the impressive scoring of last season’s 28.7 ppg Jalen Brunson leading them, the Knicks are ready to exploit the weaknesses in the Wizards’ defense and win at home once again.
Kyle Kuzma (SF) vs. Jalen Brunson (PG)
Even though the Wizards had a tough last season, Kyle Kuzma managed to impress, starting in all 70 games and scoring an impressive 22.2 points on average. He was a key part of Washington’s offensive unit throughout the season, particularly due to his rebounding and all-around versatility. Still, his hurdle is correcting the flaws of the team’s defense and stepping up when required to raise his game to a higher level, especially to better competition.
On the other hand, Jalen Brunson was a monster for the Knicks, and his contribution was vital for the team’s success. His averages of 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game reaffirm that he is one of the best point guards in the league. This time, it’s going to be a heavy responsibility for Brunson, as he will need to lead his team against the Wizards who figure to be an easy target on the defensive end.
It will certainly be intriguing to witness the face off between Kuzma and Brunson directly taking each other on. Considering Brusons can create while Kuzma can score and rebound, the game may actually come down to this particular aspect. The duel of Britons will depend on how effectively Kuzma prevents Brunson from finding his groove, and how able Bosnian is to counteract the fragile defense of the Wizards.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: New York Knicks -9.5 (-110), Total Odds: 222.5
The betting odds favor the New York Knicks with a -9.5 point spread, reflecting their stronger performance and home-court advantage. The total set at 222.5 points suggests expectations for a high-scoring game, aligning with the trends where both teams have seen the totals go over in recent games.
Washington Wizards Betting Trends
The Wizards have struggled in their recent outings, going 0-5 in their last 5 games and 1-3 against the spread in the same stretch. These trends highlight Washington’s challenges, particularly in maintaining consistency and closing out games. However, their performance against the spread on the road provides a silver lining and could influence betting strategies.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
The New York Knicks have performed well in that it won its last five matches and three out of them it covered the spread. This has been quite the advantage for punters as New York has been able to cover big spreads in their home games thanks to their strong end to last season. More often than not, their strong offense and strong defense manage to shove the totals over the average thus it is not a surprise to exceed against the Wizard given their poor defense.
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks 10/9/24 Betting Picks
Looking at the trends and the data available, it is reasonable to believe that the Knicks should start their season with a home win. The Wizards can be promising, however, the Knicks may take advantage of many weaknesses still present in the defense. In view of both teams’ such tendencies, it is plausible to consider the risk involved in the Knicks covering the spread with a fair sum of the total poking above the mentioned figure.
As for those who are interested in multi-handicapper premium tips, watch out for props that include Jalen Brunson’s points and assists as they may change the course of the game significantly. Also, due to the recent scoring patterns of both teams, going for the over on the total points scored has also odds worth considering.