Bradley Beal is back in the Phoenix Suns’ lineup just in time for a last-gasp postseason push. However, considering how bad he looked in his return from injury, Beal might as well have sat out Friday’s blowout loss in Boston.
Phoenix is hunting for the final play-in spot in the West and makes its way to the Mecca of Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks await.
Beal needs to get right — and quick — if Phoenix is going to have any hope of making the playoffs. Here are my best Suns vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, April 6.
Suns vs Knicks prediction
My best bet: Bradley Beal Over 15.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Bradley Beal was back on the court for the first time more than two weeks on Friday, but you would have never known it.
The Phoenix Suns guard went 0-for-7 from the field in his first game back from a hamstring injury, finishing with one point in a 20-point loss to the Boston Celtics.
With the team two games out of 10th place in the West and the final Play-In Round spot, along with missing superstar Kevin Durant, the Suns desperately need Beal to be at his best. He obviously wasn’t in Boston — a fact not lost on Beal himself.
"Just teetering with do I full throttle this thing and try to go, but I don't want to do anything that puts me back or hinders anything,” Beal told reporters about his mental state on Friday.
“It's just a mental thing. I'm past it now, hopefully. Got that game out the way and just know that I feel good. I can be explosive. I can explore it a lot more than what I did tonight. I have comfort in knowing that.”
Tonight’s matchup with the New York Knicks offers Beal an opportunity to get comfy. The Knicks could be ripe for the picking, facing a tough situational spot for this 7 p.m. ET tipoff on Sunday.
New York is coming off a big win in Atlanta last night, giving it firm control of third place in the East, and now travels back to MSG on zero rest. The Knicks haven't been great on the second night of back-to-back outings this year, going 5-8 SU while allowing 114 points against in those tight turnarounds.
Beal has put in an inconsistent season for the Suns but with Durant out, the touches in the offense will be there. His ceiling is always very high, with plenty of 20-plus point efforts on the board (averages 17 ppg). If you run down his game-by-game scoring, Beal tends to rally after a poor outing, averaging 19.3 points after failing to score at least 15 points in the previous game (when playing his usual floor time).
“Sometimes you can come back and have a big one. Tonight, I think he was just trying to find his way, feel his way,” Phoenix head coach Mike Budenholzer said of Beal’s rough return. “It'll be good for him to play again on Sunday and keep working. We need him in a good way.”
His recent NBA player props have seen his scoring totals range from 14.5 to 18.5 Over/Under, and player projections for Beal’s matchup with New York are quite bullish on the Suns shooting guard.
Beal’s forecasts range from 17.3 to 18.5 points with my number just shy of 17.5 points. That outcome should have the Over 15.5 points priced around -140 instead of -115.
Suns vs Knicks same-game parlay
Bradley Beal 15+ points
Mikal Bridges 15+ points
Ryan Dunn 3+ rebounds
Beal bounces back from a bad return and takes on a Knicks team sucking wind in the second of back-to-back games.
Mikal Bridges is projected for closer to 18 points for New York tonight and has scored 15 or more in 13 of his last 17 games.
Ryan Dunn’s rebound projections call for more than three boards. He’s wrangled three or more rebounds in nine of his last 11 outings.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Suns vs Knicks odds
Suns vs Knicks live odds
Suns vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Phoenix +8 | New York -8
- Moneyline: Phoenix +269 | New York -325
- Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Suns vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
• New York opened as an 8-point home favorite and the spread has bounced between that opener and -7.5.
• The Over/Under total hit the board at 226.5 points and jumped to 231 O/U before settling back down at 227.5 points.
• According to Covers Consensus, 76% of picks are laying the points with the Knicks while 51% of total picks are taking the Under.
Suns vs Knicks trend
The Knicks are 5-8 SU and 2-11 ATS in the second outing of back-to-back games this season. Those games on no rest have also gone 9-4 Over/Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Knicks.
How to watch Suns vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Sunday, 4-6-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | MSGSN, AZ Family Sports |
Suns vs Knicks latest injuries
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