Will the Suns’ winning streak continue?
The New York Knicks face a tough challenge in the form of the Phoenix Suns. The visitors have not lost in 14 rounds and, alongside the in-form Warriors, the Pacific Division outfit are currently the hottest candidates to win the title. For the home side, the situation is more bleak.
After a very successful last season, at least compared to the previous, often dismal years in the recent past, things are not going so well again. Only seventh place in the Eastern Conference is currently occupied by head coach Tom Thibodeau’s squad.
For the clash of the New York Knicks against the Phoenix Suns, the forecast includes an away win.
New York Knicks – Statistics & current form
The New York Knicks made a great start to the season with five wins and only one loss. However, this level of performance could not be maintained in the following and the fruits are now hanging much lower in New York again.
One reason for the drop in performance is the unfamiliar starting line-up. With the two new players Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, two undoubtedly powerful players were signed, but it seems that the newly assembled starting five still has to find its feet.
Randle with room for improvement in scoring
Furthermore, Julius Randle has not yet been as dominant this season as he was last year, when he was named “Most Improved Player” and on top of that was nominated as an All-Star for the first time. While his work under the boards as a glass-cleaner continues to be reliable, his average scoring output has dropped by almost four points (20.4).
Recently, however, Randle has been more convincing for the 1970 and 1973 champions – as evidenced by his 34 points in the loss to the Bulls from Chicago and 20 points and 16 rebounds in the recent win against the Lakers. Against this background, the odds on the small forward scoring more than 19.5 points in the Knicks’ game against the LA Lakers are also a good idea.
Projected line-up of New York Knicks:
Randle – Barrett – Noel – Walker – Fournier
Phoenix Suns – Statistics & current form
The runners-up are also a force away from home. Only one of the eight completed guest games this season lost the Suns. Phoenix is playing with a starting five unchanged from last year and therefore already looks very harmonious at this early stage of the season.
Chris Paul, in particular, is already confidently pursuing his favourite occupation – putting up baskets for his teammates. No player in the NBA has more assists per game (10.4). Also thanks to the usually excellent passing of the “Point God”, the Suns can point to the seventh-best record in the offensive rating in the league-wide comparison.
Suns regularly board up their own basket
On top of that, the defence of head coach Monty Williams’ team is once again as strong as an ox. Only the Clippers and Warriors are ahead of the basket hunters from the Valley of the Sun in the NBA in terms of defensive rating.
In light of these numbers, the odds on an away win in the New York Knicks’ game against the Phoenix Suns, including an intermission lead for the visitors from the Grand Canyon State, are equally linked to value.
Predicted line-up of Phoenix Suns:
Bridges – Crowder – Ayton – Paul – Booker
New York Knicks – Phoenix Suns Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The last direct duel took place last May. Back then, the franchise from Arizona clearly prevailed 128:105 at home against the four-time winner of the Eastern Conference. Thanks to the win, the visitors have a streak of seven straight victories in this pairing.
For the upcoming encounter at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” between the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, the odds also favour the three-time winners of the Western Conference.
New York Knicks – Phoenix Suns Tip
The home team from the Atlantic Division has not yet found the consistency from last year this season and is therefore in the midfield of the Eastern Conference. For the duel of the New York Knicks against the Phoenix Suns, the forecast includes a win for the guests from the Copper State.
While the Big Apple has yet to form a unit with a few new faces, the Suns will be playing with a largely unchanged formation. They already showed their enormous potential last season, when their playoff run only came to an end in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Although the pros from Manhattan have the advantage of having had an extra day to regenerate, given the strength of form of the visitors, this should not change anything about a victory for the second-placed team in the West. The Suns’ away strength, who have only lost once away from home (7-1), also speaks in favour of this.
At Unibet, odds of 1.70 can be claimed for the forecast of the clash between the Knicks and Suns.
