Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The Knicks hit the road for a five-game trip, beginning with a stop in Phoenix to take on the reeling Suns.
Phoenix has lost four straight games, falling to 9-6 after an 8-1 start to the NBA season.
There’s no question that its recent struggles stem from not having Kevin Durant available due to a calf injury.
For all the criticism Durant receives about his leadership qualities, his play on the court remains unparalleled.
The Suns have completely fallen apart without the two-time champion.
Yet, the biggest surprise is that Phoenix’s other superstar, Devin Booker, hasn’t been able to string together quality performances in Durant’s absence.
Aside from a 44-point effort against the Timberwolves, Booker is averaging just 15.7 points in the other three games during this losing streak.
The Knicks are deep enough to pose problems for the Suns defense.
Betting on the NBA?
- Check out the best NBA betting sites
- Read our guide on how to bet on basketball
- Get the latest NBA Championship odds
- Use the North Carolina betting apps
New York lists four players scoring at least 16 points per game, paced by Karl-Anthony Towns at 26.2, and ranks third in efficiency with 121.1 points per 100 possessions.
While the Knicks have an 8-6 record, their Pythagorean Expectation suggests their record should be closer to 10-4.
As a result, there’s still some untapped potential with this Knicks team, especially if they’ll be facing the shorthanded Suns.
THE PLAY: Knicks, -4.5 (-115, BetRivers)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Arinze handicaps most major sports for the New York Post. He’s cashed two 15-leg teasers in his betting career as well as a 12-leg parlay that included eight Little League World Series games. More recently, he accurately picked finalists in the 2024 European Championships and Copa America.