Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks - March 22, 2025

As we gear up for the matchup between the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, it’s clear that both teams are in very different places. The Wizards come into this game with a dismal record of 15-54, having lost their last three games, while the Knicks stand at a solid 43-26. With oddsmakers opening the Knicks as -15-point favorites, there’s a lot to unpack here.

The Knicks have been averaging an impressive 116.6 points per game on nearly 49% shooting from the field. They also boast a respectable three-point shooting percentage of about 36.5%. Their offensive strength is complemented by their ability to distribute the ball effectively, averaging around 27 assists per game. However, they’ve struggled against the spread lately, going just 4-12 ATS in their last 16 contests.

On the flip side, Washington has faced its share of challenges offensively, scoring an average of only 108.8 points per game with a field goal percentage hovering around 44%. Their three-point shooting is even more concerning at approximately 33.2%. While they do manage to grab slightly more rebounds than New York (44.1), they struggle significantly with turnovers—averaging nearly 16 per game—which can be detrimental against a team like the Knicks that thrives on capitalizing on mistakes.

Defensively, New York holds opponents to an average of roughly 110 points per game while managing to secure about 43 total rebounds and generating close to eight steals each outing. In contrast, Washington allows over 120 points in recent matchups and commits a staggering number of fouls (over 20 per game). This could lead to plenty of opportunities for free throws for New York given their proficiency from the line at around 80.6%.

Given these stats and trends leading into Saturday’s contest, I predict that New York will not only win but also cover the hefty spread against Washington—especially considering how poorly Washington has performed recently both straight up and against spreads (2-5 SU in their last seven games).

However, it’s important to note that while we expect this matchup might lean towards being lower-scoring due to both teams’ recent performances—especially with New York trending towards unders lately—the Wizards’ tendency for high-scoring games could throw some unpredictability into play.

In summary: I’m forecasting a victory for the Knicks tonight where they cover that sizable spread against an outmatched Wizards team struggling defensively and offensively alike. Expecting an under outcome seems reasonable given both teams’ current trajectories; however, if history tells us anything about basketball unpredictability—it’s wise not to overlook potential surprises when it comes down to crunch time!