New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (1/13/23)

Talk about two teams who have really turned it around as of late. Both stumbling out of the gates with lowly records, now both battling to get back into playoff contention. This has come off the backs of elite defensive play while also finding their shooting stroke. While they were both red hot over the course of last week, both have now cooled off. Can the Washington Wizards overcome their injury uncertainty and get back on track against the Knicks?

New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards Betting Odds

Oddsmakers don’t think so as they opened the Wizards as a +4 underdog. Bettors were able to move this down to +3.5, but it has now been taken off the board amidst injury news for the Washington Wizards. It will be interesting to see where this opens back up after we get more confirmation on who is able to go. Especially since everyone’s availability is more vital than ever as the Wizards are still without their star player in Bradley Beal.

Unlike the spread, the total has still not been posted as we await injury news. The Wizards scoring has shifted to more of a committee approach with Porzingis and Kuzma leading the way. Should the total still open up at a decently high number, the under may be worth a look as both units’ recent success has heavily stemmed towards their improved defensive level of play. Especially if the Wizards scoring output takes a dip while reliant on more bench production.

New York Knicks vs Washington Wizards Prediction

The Pick: Pass for now, injury uncertainty

With too much injury uncertainty on the Wizards, this is a pass for me as of now. Their scoring production is fragile as is with the absence of Bradley Beal, now potentially in even more danger should Kristaps Porzingis not be able to give it a go. Without Porzingis, this would leave Kuzma as the sole leading scorer with 21.3 points per game. With only one viable option, the Knicks could easily scheme to limit his production and dare others to burn them.

Speaking of the Wizards potential secondary scoring, they are facing injury uncertainty as well with both Monte Morris and Daniel Gafford being labeled as questionable. This would leave Corey Kispert as the last remaining starter, a young small forward sharpshooter from Gonzaga who has yet to fully find his stride at this point into the season. His player props may be worth taking a look as he may have his number called more often. In his limited usage, Kispert averages 47.5% from the field and 41.3% from the perimeter.

No matter who is able to give it a go for the Wizards, points will be tough to come by as the Knicks defense has done an exceptional job as of late. The Knicks are currently ranked eighth in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, although slipping down the ranks as of late. A brunt of their success has come from limiting opposing perimeter production, using their length to smother opposing three point looks into low quality shots.

Betting Trends

• Under is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings against each other
• Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Washington
• Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Washington

Key Matchups

Can the Wizards limit the Knicks interior offense?

Knicks low post offense vs Wizards interior defense

The Knicks offense was about as bad as it could get at the start of the season but has slowly improved as of late. This is in large thanks to their improved shooting.

This has drastically improved their interior offense, an offense that was their sole way of success back when they could not make a three to save their lives. Now that they are able to stretch opposing defenses, this has created more lanes for RJ Barrett and Julius Randle to attack.

Throw in Jalen Brunson’s driving ability and the Knicks now have multiple ways to burn opposing defenses. Slowing down Brunson’s ability to attack or facilitate in the middle will be the key metric for the Wizards to stop in order to succeed.

Verdict

With too much injury uncertainty on the Wizards end, this is currently a pass for me.

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson

Washington Wizards Starting Lineups

PG: Monte Morris
SG: Corey Kispert
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Daniel Gafford
C: Kristaps Porzingis

Key Injuries

New York Knicks Injuries: N/A

Washington Wizards Injuries: Daniel Gafford (Q), Monte Morris (Q), Kristaps Porzingis (Q), Johnny Davis (O), Bradley Beal (O), Vernon Carey Jr (Q)