Suns vs Knicks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: KD-Less Suns Struggle in Big Apple

The Phoenix Suns have flipped a switch, winning their last six in a row despite missing Kevin Durant on Friday.

Now, Phoenix will put its winning streak to the test against another great defense in the New York Knicks on Sunday evening.

Can New York keep up its winning ways and stun the Suns? Let's dive right into it with our in-depth preview and free NBA picks for Suns vs. Knicks.

Suns vs Knicks odds

Suns vs Knicks predictions

Kevin Durant is in danger of missing his second consecutive game due to right foot soreness, entering play on Sunday with a questionable tag.

Given the New York Knicks currently sit as 3-point favorites, we can safely assume that the injury is serious enough to keep him out and given the way the Phoenix Suns are playing, the team certainly has the luxury of easing its superstar back into action.

With that, I think the Knicks are in a good spot on Sunday. The Suns are a team that thrives on the perimeter, ranking sixth in shot frequency from the mid-range and right around the middle of the league in 3-point attempts per 100 possessions.

It makes a lot of sense given this team relies on Durant and Devin Booker to score, but without KD, the jump-shooting will certainly take a hit.

The Knicks have been the 10th-best team at defending the mid-range jumper, allowing them to fall at just a 41% clip, and they’ve also ranked just outside the Top 10 in three-point defense.

When you mix in the fact the Knicks still stand as the top rebounding team in the league, and the Suns have only improved marginally in that area since installing Jusuf Nurkic down low, New York should be able to control this game.

My best bet: Knicks -3 (-112 at DraftKings)

Suns vs Knicks same-game parlay

Knicks -3

RJ Barrett Over 17.5 points

Mitchell Robinson Over 9.5 rebounds

+445 at DraftKings

Expanding on what I laid out above, the Knicks love to take the ball inside and score with their slashing wings and probing backcourt.

Phoenix has allowed a whopping 68.2% shooting at the rim this year, ranked 23rd in the NBA according to Cleaning the Glass, opening up a glaring weakness on that end of the floor.

Enter RJ Barrett, who makes his money at the rim. The forward has gone for 18+ points in seven of his 10 games this season, including last time out against the undersized Heat.

He’d failed to hit this mark in his previous two games, which saw him average around 23 minutes as he was eased back into action with migraine issues, but he looked back up to 100% on Friday as he saw 34 minutes and featured heavily in New York’s offensive attack.

The Suns’ weak interior defense should make for another big Barrett game, and the discrepancy on the glass should open the door for another big night for Mitchell Robinson.

The big man saw just 20 minutes against the Heat as Tom Thibodeau looked to go small and exploit a poor Heat frontcourt, but with Nurkic on the other side of the floor, I expect Robinson to see his normal complement of minutes.

He’s hit 10 boards in nine of his 14 games this year, and he’s only failed to hit it twice when he plays at least 27 minutes.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Suns vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis

This total is low for a reason. The Suns have played incredibly slowly this season — ranking 25th in pace — and the Knicks have been even more meticulous, ranking 29th in that metric.

This game will be played in the halfcourt for the most part, and these two teams have been excellent in defending in the halfcourt, allowing 95 points and 106.2 points per 100 plays, respectively.

This has the makings of a pace-down game for the Suns, too, given the Knicks should have every opportunity to control this game with their rebounding prowess and excellent perimeter defense.

So, while the total is incredibly low I'm still inclined to side with the Under. Keep in mind, too, that should Durant miss, the game this offense will take a significant step backward.

The Knicks have accounted for just 26% of the tickets wagered on the spread at DraftKings, but the book has taken 50% of the money on the Knicks.

There’s a similar split with the total: the Under makes up just 16% of the bets but 32% of the money wagered on the total. It would appear the big money is on the Knicks and the Under.

Suns vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Knicks have cashed the first-half moneyline in 55 of their last 86 games (+20.20 units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Knicks.

Suns vs Knicks game info

Suns vs Knicks latest injuries

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