The Phoenix Suns welcome the New York Knicks to Talking Stick Resort Arena. Action begins at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 9 and can be seen on MSG and FAZ.
The Suns enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Grizzlies 109-100 on Sunday. Devin Booker was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 8-for-17 shooting. The Knicks, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 110-94 loss against the Nuggets on Tuesday. Carmelo Anthony led the game in scoring with 30 points.
Over the last five games, Alex Len has taken his game to another level for the Suns, averaging 20.4 points, 14.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks. Anthony has been hot for the Knicks. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 three-pointer.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first matchup 102-84. Anthony put up a double-double in the victory with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The Suns come into this game 17-46 Straight Up (SU) and 25-38 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 17-46 SU and 25-38 ATS against the Eastern Conference.
As for their opponent, the Knicks have 26-39 SU and 34-30-1 ATS records. Against the Western Conference, New York is 26-39 SU and 34-30-1 ATS. The Knicks convert their free throws at a high percentage, leading the league at .809. The Knicks average 101.7 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 111.0 points per game during that span. One advantage for the Knicks could be Phoenix’s league-high fouls per game average of 23.2.
In their previous meeting this season, New York beat Phoenix, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. The Suns lead the matchup ATS with a record of 7-3.
Predictions: SU Winner – NY
Notes
On average, New York scores 98.9 points per game (ranked 25th). Phoenix ranks 29th in points allowed per game with 107.4.
New York scores an average of 97.8 points per away game (ranked 24th). Phoenix ranks 26th in points allowed per home game with 105.5.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the New York Knicks have a 17-13 record. When scoring fewer than 100 points, the Phoenix Suns have an abysmal record of 1-28.
At 9-26, the New York Knicks have a losing record when their opponents score 100 points or more. The Phoenix Suns are 16-18 when they hit the century mark.
The Suns have a defensive rating of 108.1 (ranked 29th), while the Knicks rank 20th for their offensive rating of 103.1.
The Phoenix Suns average a field goal percentage of 43.7% this season. The New York Knicks have a losing record of 9-25 when opponents have a FG% of 43.7% or greater.
The Phoenix Suns rank lower for their field goal percentage (27th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (22nd), but the New York Knicks have a better FG% ranking (23rd) than their EFF% ranking (28th).
On average, the Phoenix Suns make 20.4 assists per game and the New York Knicks make 20.1. Phoenix is ranked 25th, while New York is ranked 26th.
The Phoenix Suns average 3.9 blocks per game for a rank of 27th. The New York Knicks rank higher (eighth), earning 5.6 blocks each contest.
Phoenix is ranked ninth in offensive rebounding. New York ranks 13th in defensive rebounds.
The New York Knicks average 5.7 steals per game. When giving up 5 or more steals, the Phoenix Suns have a poor record (17-44) this season.
