Phoenix Suns vs. NY Knicks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, January 17, 2026
There's an East Coast-Western Conference battle on Saturday night in this Suns vs. Knicks prediction. Phoenix (24-17) has had a strong start to the season, but struggled to begin its six-game road trip with losses to Miami and Detroit. The Knicks (26-16) returned from a four-game road trip, having lost two straight and three of four. One of those road games took place against Phoenix, where the Knicks lost 112-107 as a 1-point underdog. Check out more free NBA picks, NFL playoff picks and college basketball predictions on Winners and Whiners.
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Suns need Booker
Devin Booker (ankle) averages 25.2 points and 6.5 assists running the Suns offense, but hasn't played since Tuesday when he scored 24 points, dished out nine assists, and grabbed nine boards in Phoenix's 127-121 loss at Miami. He was injured in that game despite playing 40 minutes and then did not play in Thursday's loss at Detroit, 108-105. Grayson Allen stepped up with 33 points, while point guard Connor Gilsepie added 18 points and six assists as the starting point guard in 36 minutes. Dillon Brooks, who has been one of the league's top off-season pickups, was held to 16 points and fouled out in 28 minutes (4 of 16 FG).
Booke is listed as questionable for this game, and they've missed guard Jalen Geren (15.5 ppg) for all but two games this season due to a hamstring injury. Brooks is averaging 21.1 points per game, while Allen adds 16.4 points and is shooting 38% from long range. According to DunksandThrees.com, Phoenix ranks 11th in Adjusted Net Rating, 16th in Adjusted Offense and 8th in Adjusted Defense.
Phoenix is seventh in the Western Conference playoff standings, just a 1/2 game out of sixth place.
Knicks survive tough road trip
The Knicks are ranked third in the Eastern Conference, despite going 3-7 in their last 10 games. They went just 1-3 in their recent road trip, losing the finale to Golden State 126-113 on Thursday as a 7.5-point dog. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) sat out the game, and it showed as the Knicks couldn't keep up with the Warriors, who shot 54% from the field and 44% (20-45) from long range.
Brunson (28.2 ppg, 6.1 apg) sprained his ankle in the Knicks' 112-101 defeat at Sacramento on Wednesday. He's listed as questionable for this game. If he can't go, the Knicks have Jordan Clarkson (10 ppg) and Miles McBride (13 ppg), who can run the point. McBride had 25 points against the Warriors in 37 minutes, while OG Anunoby also added 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting.
The Knicks are ranked eighth in Adjusted Net Rating, third in Adjusted offense and 21st in Adjusted Offense according to DunksandThrees.com. 
Spread Pick and Odds for Knicks vs. Suns
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ben Burns | +1,203.00 |
| 2 |  Joseph D'Amico | +791.00 |
| 3 |  Bryan Power | +507.00 |
| 4 |  MIT Simulator | +449.00 |
| 5 |  Joe Duffy | +374.00 |
Knicks vs. Suns Picks and Prediction
- New York -5 (4 units)
Booker and Brunson are two of the better lead guards in the NBA and both are questionable for this one. Both teams have decent options, but I like McBride's ability to score against Allen or Gillespie (if Booker doesn't play). The Knicks are also putrid on the road at 8-12, but awesome at home (16-4). In their last meeting, the Suns were outrebounded by 13 but managed to win because the Knicks were sloppy with possession (17 turnovers). Expect them to turn it around and win with or without Brunson, as Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson will dominate the paint.
Over/Under Pick for Knicks vs. Suns
- Under 224.5 (5 units)
The Knicks will get their pace at home, which is 23rd in the NBA, while the Suns are 20th in pace. The first game did go under and if Booker or Brunson or both don't play, that will make it even tougher. The Suns have gone under in six of their last seven games. The Suns struggle shooting on the road, making just 44.5% of their shots from the field to rank 27th in the league.
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