Predicting how Knicks will fare on challenging five-game road trip
2: Knicks at Suns
After a game against a Warriors team that’s supposed to be at the top of the Western Conference rankings, the Knicks will take on a Suns team that’s performed as expected thus far as one of the best teams in the conference.
New York’s lowly defense will be tasked with containing Devin Booker, who’s averaging 26.7 points per game and is shooting 38.4% from the three-point line. The last thing that the Knicks need is for Booker to get hot, but that could be exactly what ends up happening.
Phoenix has one of the highest offensive ratings in the league in contrast to New York’s defensive rating that’s one of the worst in the league. Orlando was able to get a 114-97 win over Phoenix on Sunday, but that was because the Magic had a size advantage over the Suns. Without Robinson, who could be back for this game, the Knicks will struggle down low against Deandre Ayton.
Like the previous three games, this matchup is looking like it’ll fall in Phoenix’s favor.
Phoenix 125, New York 113
1: Knicks at Thunder
The Knicks’ last stop will be an opportunity for them to get revenge for an absolutely embarrassing loss at MSG. New York might’ve scored 135 against Oklahoma City, but the defense allowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder to drop 145 points (the most in the Tom Thibodeau era).
Even with that being said, it feels as if this is the only “winnable” game for New York over the five-game stretch. The Knicks could steal a win in the four games before this one, but I predict that they will finish their road trip with a 1-4 record.
Hopefully by this point, Quentin Grimes’ minutes will no longer be situational and he’ll be in the starting lineup so that he can guard SGA. And hopefully, Cam Reddish won’t be the Knicks’ leading scorer this go-round, and I mean that in the best way possible.
New York 127, Oklahoma City 121
