Knicks vs Trail Blazers NBA Pick: New York Hopes To Build on Blowout of Kings (Mar 12)

• The New York Knicks (41-23, 3rd in the East) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (28-38, 12th in the West)
• New York broke a 3-game skid with a win in Sacramento
• Portland has lost 4 straight and 5 of 6
• The Knicks are trying to tread water without star guard Jalen Brunson

The Knicks are entrenched in the third spot in the East. They need to ensure they are as close to 100% healthy as possible when the postseason starts. Jalen Brunson’s ankle sprain has put the star guard on the shelf. He is expected to miss a few weeks. In the aftermath of his injury, the Knicks lost three straight but had a big win over a decent team in Sacramento to break the losing streak.

For the Trail Blazers, the 2024-25 NBA has been filled with winning and losing streaks. They have lost five of six and sit 10 games below .500. It is theoretically possible that they get into the Play-In Tournament if they manage to get hot again.

New York Plays Complete Game in Sacramento

In stopping its three-game skid, the Knicks dealt the Kings a 133-104 defeat. New York spread the love with three players surpassing 20 points. OG Anunoby poured in 24, Miles McBride had 21, and Karl-Anthony Towns (who is dealing with knee issues) scored 26. Anunoby and Mikal Bridges each had 8 assists. Anunoby had 7 rebounds and Towns added 9.

New York’s scoring has declined significantly since the All-Star break. For the season, they average just over 117 PPG. In their last 10, they have averaged around 110 PPG. Their other numbers have been consistent. They just need to weather the storm without Brunson. With Portland, Miami, San Antonio, Charlotte, Washington, and Dallas on the slate in the next 10 days (with Golden State in there too), they have winnable games on the schedule.

Streaky Trail Blazers Need to Get Hot Again

The Trail Blazers have lost four straight and five of six. This came after a four-game win streak which was preceded by a four-game losing streak. Before that, they won 10 of 11. This is not an unusual trend for Portland. It’s been this way the entire season. In that context, it’s not insane to think they could get hot again and make the Play-In Tournament.

In their last game, they lost to Golden State 130-120.

In the loss, Deni Avdija scored 34 and grabbed 16 rebounds, 15 of which were defensive boards. Anfernee Simons added 32.

For the season, Portland averages nearly 111 PPG. Over the recent string of wins and then losses, they have scored significantly more, and defensively they have been consistently giving up 114 PPG.

Knicks vs Trail Blazers Pick: New York Takes Its Second Straight Win

In Portland, New York will repeat the successful strategy it showed against Sacramento. Statistically, the two teams are relatively close on the stat sheet when it comes to PPG, rebounds, and 3-point shooting. But Portland is on a cold streak and New York knows it needs to continue getting by without Brunson, which they will do.