New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview: How, Who to Watch on Easter Sunday
The New York Knicks will look to resurrect their hopes for a prime seed on the Eastern Conference playoff bracket on Easter Sunday.
New York is coming off one of its most bizarre losses of the season, having dropped a 130-126 decision to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. A daunting stretch to close out the regular season begins at Madison Square Garden when the Oklahoma City Thunder, co-leaders of the Western Conference, engage in a holiday haunt.
Of the Knicks' final nine regular season games, only one opponent currently resides outside of its conference's playoff picture. Despite 61 points from Jalen Brunson on Friday night, New York missed out on a prime opportuniy to inch closer to second by falling to the long-eliminated Spurs. A win for the Cleveland Cavaliers shuffled the Knicks back to fourth in the East, though they remain a game-and-a-half up on the Orlando Magic for fifth.
Oklahoma City has kept pace with the West's finest, notably surviving the past two games without MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Though the Thunder fell to the Houston Rockets in an overtime decision on Wednesday, they earned a 128-103 win over Phoenix to open the weekend, putting them back in first alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game with a right quad issue.
This will mark the second and final meeting between the Knicks and Thunder this season, with Oklahoma City earning a 129-120 win back in December. It was a game that served as one of the Knicks' last before their game-changing trade for OG Anunoby, as they've gone 27-16 since then. Oklahoma City is looking for its second straight sweep of the Knicks over the last three seasons, as the two sides split last year's couple.
What: Oklahoma City Thunder (51-22) @ New York Knicks (44-29)
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
When/Watch: Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, MSG
Who's Favored: NYK -1.5
Keep An Eye On: Donte DiVincenzo
DiVincenzo got the inevitable out of the way on Friday, breaking Evan Founier's brief hold on the Knicks' franchise-best mark for most three-pointers in a single season. It capped off a thrilling week for DiVincenzo, who previously posted New York's finest single-game effort from deep in Monday's win over Detroit. The undeniable second scoring option behind Brunson until Julius Randle returns, DiVincenzo has maintain his consistency over these final regular season hours. Thrilling as it is to see Brunson chase scoring history, efforts like that aren't going to win playoff series, at least not the deeper one. The Knicks are 7-3 when DiVincenzo reaches at least 25 points this season and 4-2 when he makes it to 30.
Thunder to Watch: Josh Giddey
Giddey has picked the slack in the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander, having led the team in scoring in three of the past four games. He did a little bit of everything in the win over the Suns on Friday, falling just short of a triple-double with 23 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Built by the efforts of young veterans, Giddey is proving to be a formidable x-factor as the Thunder makes an unexpected run to the top the of West.
They Said It
“I think every player is different, brings different strengths to the team. With Mitch, we know the shot-blocking, the rim protection, pick and roll defense, the pressure on the rim. The offensive rebounding is obviously we think the best in the league. So all those things. They're selfless things that help make the team a lot better. So we're glad to have him back.”-head coach Tom Thibodeau on Mitchell Robinson's return (h/t Steve Popper, Newsday)
Prediction
The Knicks are coming off a questionable loss, but they've proven themselves more than capable of recovery. With Gilgeous-Alexander potentially ailing, New York has a prime opportunity to make a statement in a dangerous final stretch. Expect them to embrace that opportunity at a colorful Easter egg.
Knicks 115, Thunder 114
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI
Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks