New York @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 6, 2019 ) New York 96, Phoenix 107

The New York Knicks are suddenly a competitive team under interim coach Mike Miller and will try to extend their season-best winning streak to four in a row when they open a four-game winning trip by visiting the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Knicks are 6-6 under Miller after beginning the season 4-18.

New York held the Portland Trail Blazers to 39.4 percent shooting in a 117-93 victory on Wednesday to celebrate the new year as Julius Randle continued his strong run with 22 points and 13 rebounds to lead a balanced effort. "Tremendous effort," Miller told reporters. "I can't come up with the right words for how pleased we are watching how that game flowed and had so many people contribute." The Suns dropped nine of their last 11 games but finished off a four-game road trip strong with wins in Sacramento and Portland before falling 117-107 to the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. "I think we took a step forward, especially closing out this game the way we did," Phoenix guard Devin Booker told reporters after the loss. "Coach (Monty Williams) calls it an emotional loss in Golden State and responded well with back-to-back wins in two heated games. I like it. Anytime you can go .500 on a road trip, it's good."

TIME: 9 p.m. ET. TV: MSG, FS Arizona, Sportsnet One

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-24): Randle is averaging 28.3 points and 12.3 rebounds over the last three games to emerge as a leader while second-year center Mitchell Robinson showed off his skill set with 22 points on 11-of-11 shooting in Wednesday's win. New York got a lift against Portland from veteran shooting guard Reggie Bullock, who scored 11 points in 15 minutes in his team debut after missing the first 33 games following offseason surgery and the death of his sister. "(Bullock’s) been through a lot with surgery and things he had going on with his family," Knicks forward Marcus Morris told reporters. "He's been through a lot. It was special to see him out there. It was great to have his energy around this locker room. I think he's going to come back and he's going to be really big for us."

ABOUT THE SUNS (13-21): Center Deandre Ayton played in only four games this season due to a suspension and an ankle injury but collected 16 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench on Wednesday and took the loss hard. "I'm taking this one personal," Ayton told reporters. "I'm taking this one home. I'm going to take this one home. This is really our first time this season getting punched in the mouth. I'm going to take this one and really let this marinate." Phoenix small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. picked up his level of play over the last three games, averaging 25 points on 57.1 percent shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Knicks PG Frank Ntilikina handed out a season-high 10 assists in 23 minutes off the bench on Wednesday.

2. Suns PG Ricky Rubio (hip) left Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Phoenix swept the two-game series last season, most recently claiming a 107-96 victory over New York at home on March 6.

PREDICTION: Suns 113, Knicks 107