Who’s playing
New York Knicks @ Portland Trail Blazers
Current records: New York 38-27, Portland 19-46
How to watch
- When: Thursday March 14, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET
- Or: Moda Center at Rose Quarter – Portland, Oregon
- TV: MSG Network
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $4.00
What there is to know
The Knicks have played four home games but will have to dust off their road jerseys soon. They will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET at the Moda Center in the Rose Quarter. If the odds are to be believed, the Knicks are looking at one of their easiest games of the year.
Defenses reigned supreme when the Knicks and 76ers played Tuesday, rewarding bettors who took the risk on the low 209 points. Everything went in New York’s favor against the 76ers as the Knicks took a 106-79 victory. The Knicks made it 87-61 late in the third, a deficit the 76ers had little chance of recovering from.
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart were among the Knicks’ key playmakers, with the former nearly dropping a double-double with 20 points and nine assists and the latter a triple-double with 20 points, 19 rebounds and ten assists. Hart didn’t help the Knicks’ cause much against the 76ers on Sunday, but the same can’t be said for this game.
Meanwhile, while it wasn’t a dominant performance, Portland beat the Hawks 106-102 on Wednesday. This win was exactly what the Trail Blazers needed after a 121-99 loss in their previous game.
Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons were among the Trail Blazers’ key playmakers as the former posted a double-double with 33 points and 19 rebounds and the latter scored 36 points along with eight assists and seven rebounds. In fact, this is the most points Ayton has scored all season.
New York’s victory improved its record to 38-27. As for Portland, its victory brought its record to 19-46.
Thursday’s game is shaping up to be a scrappy game: The Knicks have been smashing the glass this season, averaging 45.8 rebounds per game (they’re ranked fifth in total rebounds per game). It’s a different story for the Trail Blazers, as they only averaged 42 rebounds per game. Given the Knicks’ considerable advantage in this area, the Trail Blazers will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Knicks won against the Trail Blazers in their previous game in January by a conclusive 112-84. With the Knicks ahead 63-41 at halftime, the game was already almost over.
Odds
New York is big favorite with 11.5 points against Portland, according to the latest NBA Odds.
The line on this game has moved a lot since it opened, since it started with the Knicks as 8-point favorites.
Oddsmakers are predicting a defensive matchup and setting the low/under at 206.5 points.
See NBA Pick for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Portland and New York both have 5 wins in their last 10 games.
- January 9, 2024 – New York 112 vs. Portland 84
- March 14, 2023 – New York 123 vs. Portland 107
- November 25, 2022 – Portland 132 vs. New York 129
- March 16, 2022 – New York 128 vs. Portland 98
- February 12, 2022 – Portland 112 vs. New York 103
- February 6, 2021 – New York 110 vs. Portland 99
- January 24, 2021 – Portland 116 vs. New York 113
- January 1, 2020 – New York 117 against Portland 93
- December 10, 2019 – Portland 115 vs. New York 87
- January 7, 2019 – Portland 111 vs. New York 101
