New York Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns: How, Who to Watch in Devin Booker's Visit

The New York Knicks have yet another opportunity to make a statement when the Phoenix Suns visit for an interconference showdown on Sunday evening.

The New York Knicks handled the Heat. Now they want to soak up the Suns.

Fresh off a potential statement win against the Miami Heat, the Knicks will look to build a winning streak against elite competition on Sunday evening when Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and the Phoenix Suns follow. It's the second part of a four-game homestand for New York at Madison Square Garden, which continues with visits from Charlotte and Detroit on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

Phoenix, backed to the brim with new, elite talents, is starting to get its act together after a stagnant start. The Suns are taking a six-game winning streak, tied for the longest active tally in the NBA with Orlando, into MSG with them after a 110-89 victory over Memphis on Friday night.

This will be the first of two meetings between the Knicks and Suns this season, with a rematch scheduled in Arizona next month. Each side split its pair the last time around, respectively defending their home floors. 

What: Phoenix Suns (10-6) @ New York Knicks (9-6)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: NYK -3.5

Keep An Eye On: Quentin Grimes

Phoenix has always had a reputation as a high-scoring team and this season (117.2 points a game) is no exception. The Suns have succeeded at hitting both the easy (second in successful free throw attempts) and hard shots (third in three-point percentage) so the Knicks need to have all offensive hands on deck as they seek to form a winning streak. Grimes developed a name for himself as an outside shooter upon entering the starting lineup last season but his offensive game has left something to be desired this time around. With the similarly skilled Donte DiVincenzo in town, Grimes, set to partake in his third game back from a wrist injury, might need to showcase his offensive talents to stave off raised volume about his spot in the starting five.

Sun to Watch: Keita Bates-Diop

Durant is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game with a foot injury after sitting out of the latest win on Friday. Already missing Bradley Beal due to a back injury, Phoenix has had to rely on its relatively meager depth with all its cap space dedicated to its new big three. With Durant sitting, Bates-Dip got the nod in the starting five and pulled in six points, four rebounds, and two blocks in 23 minutes. The 6-8, 229-lb. veteran will likely be called upon to use his size and frame against the Knicks dominant interior if Durant has to sit again.

They Said It

“If he plays or doesn’t play, they’re still a great team. They have great shooters around those guys. If he plays, it’s another iso guy, a mid-post guy, shooting above 50 percent from three, but if he doesn’t, they still have screeners and rollers. They have a really good system over there and they have guys that come in off the bench that play extremely hard.”-Donte DiVincenzo on the Suns with Kevin Durant (h/t Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News)

Knicks Dim Suns in Shutdown Defensive Effort

Prediction

The Knicks have seized their moments against lesser competition this season and they made a major statement in Friday's win against Miami. Sunday is another chance to do that against a scorching ... yet ailing ... Phoenix group. There's just enough momentum in New York's favor to believe that they can get it done.

Knicks 120, Suns 117