The struggling New York Knicks (25-37) play the second game of their seven-game road trip Friday against the shorthanded Phoenix Suns (50-12). Tip-off from Footprint Center is 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Knicks have lost all three games since the All-Star break and have lost six in a row overall. They have just one win in their last 11 outings and are 3-16 in their last 19 games. They have only one road win since Jan. 15.
The Suns are the first team in the league to reach 50 wins and they hold a 7.5-game lead as the top seed in the Western Conference. They are 2-2 since the All-Star break and are playing without both G Chris Paul and G Devin Booker.
Booker is out under health and safety protocols and will return soon, while Paul was slated to miss six to eight weeks with a thumb injury suffered Feb. 16 and should be back before the playoffs begin.
Knicks at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Suns -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +6.5 (-105) | Suns -6.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Knicks at Suns key injuries
Knicks
- G Quentin Grimes (knee) out
- G Derrick Rose (ankle) out
Suns
- G Devin Booker (health and safety protocols) out
- G Chris Paul (thumb) out
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Knicks at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 115, Knicks 103
Money line
The Knicks have only three wins in their last 19 games and only one road win since the middle of January.
The Suns have the best home record in the NBA this season at 27-7. They beat the Knicks 118-97 on the road Nov. 26.
Betting the Knicks for the upset isn’t wise, but betting the Suns on the money line alone isn’t enough value to be a good wager. PASS on the money line unless you include it in a parlay.
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Against the spread
The Knicks are 26-36 ATS this season overall and 13-17 ATS on the road and have only covered the spread once in their last 10 games. They have not covered the spread at all during their six-game skid.
The Suns are 2-2 ATS since the All-Star break and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. They are only 16-18 ATS at home but are coming off a 120-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday without Booker or Paul in the lineup.
Take the SUNS -6.5 (-120).
Over/Under
The Knicks are the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league with an average of 105.1 points per game. They have reached 110 only once in their last six games and that took overtime.
The Suns have scored 110 or more in eight of their last 10 games.
Will they score enough and can New York keep up?
I don’t think so.
Take UNDER 223.5 (-108).
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