The New York Knicks are on track towards a much better finish this season, but currently, they’ve been looking like the Knicks team of last year that won just 17 games overall.
The Knicks have lost their last three games and have lost by an average margin of 11 points during that stretch. They’ll try again to put themselves back in the winning column when they continue their four-game road trip tonight against the Sacramento Kings. Can New York take care of business this time around?
Read on below for a complete breakdown of this intriguing matchup. If you’re into football as well, check out our preview of the Thursday Night Football clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.
[sc:NBAArticles ]
New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
When: Thursday, December 10, 2015, 10:30 PM ET
Line: New York Knicks (+4) vs. Sacramento Kings (-4); total: 206.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the New York Knicks (10-13)
An off-night from Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis basically doomed the New York Knicks against the Utah Jazz, who breezed past them, 106-85, last night. From the get go, they trailed and never had a chance to make things close as the 24 points from Gordon Hayward and 20 points from Derrick Favors proved to be too much to overcome.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The loss was the Knicks’ 13th of the season and currently their third-straight one. They’ll have another opportunity to get back on track when they travel to California for a promising encounter with the Sacramento Kings.
For them to earn the much-needed win, Anthony and Porzingis, who combined for just 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting against the Jazz, ought to breakout from their offensive struggles. Both should be able to do so opposite the Kings’ mediocre defense that’s allowing above 100 points per game thus far this season.
Apart from those two, Arron Afflalo could actually be the difference-maker in this game for the Knicks. Afflalo is the team’s third-leading scorer with 12.4 PPG across 15 games. He’s also averaging 10.4 PPG through 20 career matches with Sacramento.
But offense won’t be their main key to victory. It’s going to be their defense (98.7 points allowed per game) on Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins. If the Knicks manage to lock these two all night long, they’re bound to be the one smiling by the end of regulation.
New York is 4-6 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games on the road.
After losing their last three games, the Sacramento Kings finally got it together during Tuesday night’s eight-point win over the visiting Utah Jazz. They received an all-around performance from their one-two punch in Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins, who both scored 23 points apiece to lead the way. Now, the Kings will hope to make it two wins in a row when the New York Knicks come to town this evening.
Sacramento’s offense has been phenomenal this season. They’re averaging 105.2 PPG, which is currently fifth-most in the league. But when it comes to the other end of the floor, things are pretty bleak as the Kings are surrendering 108.7 PPG. This cannot be the case especially against the Knicks, who have the pair of legitimate threats in Carmelo Anthony (21.0 PPG) and Kristaps Porzingis (14.2 PPG).
Once the Kings successfully shut those two out, they won’t have to worry about the points. Cousins and Gay will lead the charge as always. Cousins, the team’s top scorer (25.1) and rebounder (10.6), has had good moments against New York with 20.7 PPG and 10.4 RPG through 10 career games. Gay, on the other hand, has been almost just as good in the same matchup with 20.0 PPG.
Of course, there’s another star that the Knicks ought to worry about and his name is Rajon Rondo. Rondo’s done a spectacular job in doing almost everything. He’s getting the points (12.5), the rebounds (6.8) and leads the team in assists (11.0). His presence alone has added a totally new dimension to the Kings offense.
Sacramento is 5-5 SU and ATS in its previous 10 home games.
