The New York Knicks host the Oklahoma City Thunder with hopes of avoiding a regular season series sweep.
Catch the game tomorrow at 7:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Oklahoma City Thunder (51-22, 22-14 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (day-to-day)
- Josh Giddey
- Lu Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
The Thunder come in at 9-3 across their last 12 games, where they average 118.5 points per game and allow 111.7 on the other end. On Saturday, they routed a fully healthy Phoenix Suns team, 128-103.
Top MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.4 PPG) has missed the team’s last two outings and isn’t expected to return tomorrow. While it’s obviously a huge deal, the available guys should be fine. Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 2 man Jalen Williams each dropped 36 points in the 129-120 win over the Knicks last December 28th.
With SGA likely out, joining Williams as the Thunder to watch is Josh Giddey, who has 26.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 65.3% shooting in his last three games. Of course, rookie Chet Holmgren and his rim protection and outside shooting are in that mix. He notched 22 points and swatted four shots in the aforementioned win over New York.
HOME: New York Knicks (44-29, 24-13 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Jalen Brunson
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Josh Hart
- Precious Achiuwa
- Mitchell Robinson / Isiah Hartenstein
The Knicks are on the heels of a hard-fought 130-126 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. It was tough as it brought Jalen Brunson’s career-high, 61-point performance to waste. Still, it’s only the team’s second loss in nine games, and they are at a +13 net rating in that stretch.
Nevertheless, fans hope the Knicks’ tanks are newly filled for tomorrow. It seems like they emptied it vs. SAS as they shot just 2-of-10 in the extra frame.
Brunson had 24 points and seven assists in the OKC loss, while Donte DiVincenzo added 17 with five three-pointers. Expect the latter to be one of the key secondary options, alongside Bojan Bogdanovic, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride. Hart, in particular, is sitting at 9.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in his last nine. McBride, meanwhile, has 20-plus point games in his last six.
PREDICTIONS:
Handicap: Knicks (-3.5)
Over/Under: Over (214.5)
