The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks get back into action on Friday night in Madison Square Garden. In a battle of two teams that are known for their defensive intensity, which team is the right NBA pick?
Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks
Friday, November 26, 2021 -7:00 PM EST at Madison Square Garden
New York Knicks
The Knicks are 10-8 on the year and 5-5 at home in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will look to improve on that home record in a daunting matchup against the NBA’s hottest team. The Knicks have won three of their last five, including a 106-100 win over the Lakers on Tuesday night. The Knicks are led by Julius Randle who leads the team in all categories. Randle averages 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
Randle is still being vilified for his poor performance in the playoffs last season. Randle is doing his best to return the good graces of New York fans. Averaging a double-double will help, but Randle really needs some clutch shooting and a strong showing at the end of close games in order to regain the fan’s faith.
The Knicks added more offensive firepower in the offseason, but the key to this team’s success is still defensive intensity. Even with the new additions, the Knicks aren’t going to win a high-paced shootout with most of the NBA’s top teams. They’re going to need to be able to defend at a much higher level than their opposition. This is a philosophy that coach Tom Thibodeau has preached for his whole career. The Knicks have quickly adopted Thibodeau’s defensive identity and it’s what catapulted them from the lottery to the playoffs last season.
The Knicks will need RJ Barrett to have a big game if they want to keep pace with the Suns. Barrett is currently averaging 15 points in 32 minutes per game. Barrett is quick off the dribble and good at creating his own shot; which can be valuable for the Knicks late in the shot clock. Barrett and Julius Randle will be key for the Knicks if they want to beat the Suns.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are the hottest team in the league right now with a record of 15-3. The Suns had a slow start, following a trip to the NBA Finals last season. Now they are back on a roll and showing the form that made them the number 2 seed in the East last year.
The Suns are led by Devin Booker with 23 points a game. DeAndre Ayton is chipping in 16 points per game. In a move that surprised many observers, Ayton was denied a contract extension this off-season after performing above expectations last year. The uncertainty around Ayton’s future in Phoenix is the only basketball-related concern for Phoenix fans right now.
Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder provide the young and old versions of the 3 and D wing. Both men are long athletic players who play excellent defense. They give the Suns 2 sharpshooters who are deadly if left open in the corner. Bridges’ and Crowder’s defensive versatility allow the Suns to play the type of switching defense that they prefer.
Key Matchup
Chris Paul vs. Kemba Walker.
The 2 point guards will be relied upon to steady their ships as a close game goes down the stretch. Paul isn’t more known for his defense but Kemba is a savvy offensive player and can create advantages for his team even against the best defenders. Paul should get the better of Walker when Walker is defending, but he must take advantage of the matchup. Paul likes to get teammates involved, but tonight he will need to be selfish.
If Kemba is able to score even against Paul’s strong defense, the Knicks have a good chance for victory. If Paul is able to slow down Walker and limit the Knicks’ ability to start their offensive sets, the Suns will be in a good position to win.
Best Bet
I like the Suns to get it done here, even on the road in New York. The Suns are the much better team and they’ve been playing some of the best basketball in the NBA over the last 10 games. Both teams can play excellent defense but the Suns have better options to create offense at the end of the game. I like Phoenix to get the win and cover in the NBA odds. Today’s best bet Phoenix Suns -3.
NBA Pick: Phoenix Suns -3.5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
