The Trail Blazers are hosting the Knicks on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, New York is favored by 5.5 points and this game carries a total of 229.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for the game.
Knicks at Trail Blazers preview, prediction
The 19-20 Trail Blazers enter this matchup playing arguably their best basketball of the season. Portland has won five games in a row, which is the longest active winning streak in the NBA and the club has only lost once in its last eight. Albeit without Alperen Sengun (ankle), the Trail Blazers are coming off back-to-back wins over the Rockets and in the new year, Portland ranks sixth in net rating.
Deni Avdija has been the primary reason for the Trail Blazers’ success. The forward has scored at least 29 points in four of his last five and this season, Avdija is averaging a career-high 26.1 PPG after averaging 16.9 PPG last season. Additionally, the veteran is averaging 7.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. Rightfully so, Avdija is the favorite to win Most Improved Player of the Year at -190 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
In the midst of the Trail Blazers thriving, they received great news Sunday with Jrue Holiday (calf) being upgraded to probable. The veteran hasn’t played since Nov. 14th and is likely to be limited in his return, but Holiday has been awesome when active this season, averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game and ranking third for the team in plus/minus. Especially on the defensive end, having Holiday back in the mix is huge for Portland, particularly for this matchup vs. the Knicks to possibly slow down Jalen Brunson.
The guard is leading the Knicks with a career-high 29 PPG and the team is 24-14, but New York has hit a wall after a hot start to the season, losing five of its last six. The Knicks’ defense has been a mess and in the new year, the team embarrassingly ranks 28th in net rating. New York has been without Josh Hart (ankle) for eight straight, but the forward is listed as questionable and trending toward playing Sunday.
Hart’s return will help, but him fixing the Knicks’ issues instantly is unlikely, as their net rating has only been slightly better with Hart on the court this season. The main problem for New York is that almost all of its wins have come at home in Madison Square Garden and the club has looked like a totally different group on the road. The Knicks are 16-4 at home but just 7-10 on the road, so defeating the ascending Trail Blazers on their home floor Sunday certainly won’t be easy for New York.
Knicks at Trail Blazers pick, best bet
While the Knicks are the better team over the Trail Blazers, New York is in a rut right now and the team’s play on the road is very concerning. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are thriving and will have Holiday back for the first time in nearly two months.
The Trail Blazers should upset the Knicks in this spot and Portland is an excellent ML bet at +180 odds. If looking for a safer play, the Trail Blazers +5.5 is a very strong wager. Portland is 12-7 ATS at home, while New York is a league-worst 4-13 ATS on the road.
