Washington Wizards - New York Knicks predictions and free betting tips [18/11/2023]

On Saturday morning, the New York Knicks square off against the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena. We're placing bets on a Knicks victory with a handicap of -5.5.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards have taken a serious dip, losing 8 of their last 9 matches. Most recently, the team suffered a defeat against the Mavericks with a score of 117:130, marking the fourth consecutive loss. In that game, Kyle Kuzma scored 22 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Jordan Poole and Deni Avdija contributed 16 and 15 points respectively. The team exhibited 48% scoring efficiency and 33% from beyond the arc. However, their defence was lacking, allowing the adversary to rack up 41 points in the first quarter and 71 points by halftime.

As they approach the next game against the Knicks, the Wizards are striving to break their losing streak and claim just their second victory in six matches. The team averages 115.5 points per game, but only managed 117 points in their last match. Despite this, their weak defensive efforts, conceding 123.2 points per game on average, puts their chances of triumph in jeopardy. In order to triumph over the Knicks, the Wizards will need to substantially boost their gameplay, particularly in defence.

New York Knicks

The Knicks are displaying impressive form, claiming 4 victories in their last 5 matches. Following a successful game against the Hawks, where they emerged victorious with a score of 116:114, the Knicks are determined to extend their winning streak. In this game, Julius Randle led the way with 29 points, ten rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Brunson appended 24 points and eight assists, while Immanuel Quickley added a significant contribution of 20 points from the bench. The Knicks demonstrated proficient scoring, securing 47% of attempts from the field and 16 of 34 three-pointers, despite relinquishing a 13-point lead.

In the upcoming match against the Wizards, the Knicks aim to maintain this winning momentum, potentially securing their consecutive victories and fifth win in the last six matches. The team averages 109.1 points per game, with their latest match generating 116 points. Randle is expected to take the lead again, in tandem with Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 11 points and four rebounds. The team also displays solid defensive prowess, averaging 105.2 points per game, although in their last match they needed to score 114 points for victory. The status of players RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes, suffering from migraines and hand injuries respectively, remains uncertain for this match.

Prediction

Given the current circumstances, New York Knicks approach this match with confidence, particularly after their recent triumph against the Hawks. However, they could potentially face issues with the absence of crucial players, as the status of Quentin Grimes and RJ Barrett remains undetermined. On the other hand, the Washington Wizards enter this match with an unchanged line-up, yet they have demonstrated lacklustre results lately. The bet is on the Knicks for the win.