The shorthanded Phoenix Suns will try to keep rolling when they host the New York Knicks on Friday night at the Footprint Center. The Suns (50-12) have the best record in the West (and the NBA), seven games better than Golden State entering Thursday. The Knicks (25-37) are 12th in the East and last in the Atlantic Division, and they have lost six straight games. Phoenix has won nine of its last 11 despite being without Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Booker, the team's top scorer, is in COVID protocols. Paul, who leads the NBA in assists, is out several more weeks with a fractured thumb. Still, Phoenix crushed Portland 120-80 on Wednesday night.
Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET in Phoenix. Phoenix is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. Suns odds from Caesars Sportsbook, and the Over-Under for total points is 225.5. Before finalizing any Suns vs. Knicks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 71-44 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Suns, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Suns vs. Knicks:
- Knicks vs. Suns spread: Phoenix -6.5
- Knicks vs. Suns over-under: 222.5 points
- Knicks vs. Suns money line: Phoenix -280, New York +320
- NYK: RJ Barrett is averaging 28.6 points per game over his past seven.
- PHX: Cameron Johnson has hit 18 of his last 35 3-point tries (51.4 percent).
Why the Suns can cover
Phoenix is 14-9 ATS in non-conference games and 34-28 ATS overall, and it has been one of the most balanced teams in the NBA. It leads the league in shooting percentage (48.2), while the Knicks rank 28th (43.4), and Phoenix averages 113.6 points (fourth) and faces a New York team that scores just 105.1 (27th). The Suns outscore opponents by 8.1 points per game, the best differential in the NBA. Their defense allows opposing shooters to hit just 33.2 percent from 3-point range (first in NBA), the only area where the Knicks rank in the top half of the league
These teams have met once this season, with the Suns winning 118-97 and holding New York to just 37 percent shooting and 30.8 from long range. The Suns, meanwhile, hit 55.7 percent overall and 46.4 from beyond the arc, with Jae Crowder and Johnson combining to hit five of eight. Johnson is fourth in the NBA in 3-point shooting (43.7 percent) and he hit four of five Wednesday on his way to a team-high 20 points. DeAndre Ayton, who averages 16.5 points and 10.1 rebounds, scored 18 against Portland, while Crowder got five of the Suns' 14 steals.
Why the Knicks can cover
New York is desperate for a win after its recent slide. And while the Suns are deep, the Knicks are catching a big break with some of Phoenix's top players out. The Suns have been a profitable bet against the spread overall, but only 16-18 ATS when playing at home.
Depth is a challenge for New York, but its top two players are performing well. Julius Randle leads the way with 19.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. Barrett has stepped up as a scorer, averaging 18.9 points. Barrett was especially hot in February, upping his average to 28.3 points for that month. He then started March off with a 30 points in the loss to the Sixers on Wednesday.
How to make Suns vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the point total, predicting a combined 219 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Knicks vs. Suns? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
