The New York Knicks (9-22) welcome the Phoenix Suns (6-24) to Madison Square Garden. The Suns are 2-point underdogs and look to put an end to a five-game road losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Arizona at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks Betting Odds
The Suns will be looking for a similar result after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing, 107-99, as 7.5-point underdogs. The Knicks, meanwhile, were beaten by the Indiana Pacers, 110-99, and were unable to cover as 10-point underdogs. The Phoenix game finished 13 points under the projected point total of 219, while the New York game went 15 points under the projected point total of 224.
Phoenix dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.8 (above their season average of 18.7) and a free throw rate of 0.178 (above their season average of 0.171). Minnesota put up marks of 21.6 and 0.146, respectively, for those same stats. New York, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 vs. 26.2). Enes Kanter played a key role for New York with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile, Devin Booker had a good outing for Phoenix, finishing with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Knicks dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last matchup, New York won 107-85. New York’s 0.188 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Phoenix, who had a mark of 0.085. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Suns are playing, as 18 of their 30 games have finished under the O/U total. Phoenix holds records of 6-24 straight up (SU) and 11-19 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Phoenix, games featuring the Knicks have typically gone over the total (56.7 percent). Additionally, New York owns records of 9-22 SU and 15-14-1 ATS.
Suns at Knicks Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Suns, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Suns rank 18 in assists per game (23.7) while the Knicks rank 29 (19.93548387096774).
- New York ranks fifth in second chance points per game (14.9) while Phoenix ranks 27th (10.3).
- The Knicks rank ninth in fast break points allowed per game (12.1) while the Suns rank 28th (17.1).
- Phoenix ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (28.4) while New York ranks 21st (32.5).
- New York ranks 17 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.387096774193548) while Phoenix ranks 28 (20.433333333333334).
- The Suns rank sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while the Knicks rank 27th (6.4).
- The Knicks rank 15 in rebounds per game (45.45161290322581) while the Suns rank 28 (40.4).
- Phoenix averages 46.333333333333336 points in the paint per game, which ranks 21 in the league. New York ranks 27 in points allowed in the paint per game (51.87096774193548).
- New York ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (7.5) while Phoenix ranks 28th (9.3).
- New York is 2-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Phoenix is 3-1.
- The Knicks are 9-17 when they reach 100 points, while the Suns are 5-12.
- Phoenix is 3-11 ATS on the road, while New York is 6-6-1 ATS at home.
- In 14 road games, the Suns have 8 unders and 6 overs.
- The Knicks have 7 unders and 6 overs in 13 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Suns are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Knicks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Phoenix has 3 unders and 2 overs, while New York has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 101.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.4 points per game (5.3 below their season average).
- The Knicks\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 6.5 for the season.
