New York Knicks vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

Knicks Kick Off Homestand Against Resurgent Kings

The New York Knicks begin a crucial five-game homestand on Saturday night when they host the surging Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden.

Both teams are jockeying for position in their respective conferences, with New York chasing the No. 2 seed in the East, while Sacramento fights to solidify a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference race.

Knicks Eyeing Second Place in the East

New York (31-17) enters having won three of its last four games, most recently a gritty 99-95 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Best NBA Picks for Tonight’s Games! See our expert NBA picks for today and stay in the know.

Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns Leading the Charge

• Jalen Brunson has been the engine for the Knicks, averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game.
• Karl-Anthony Towns, who was traded from Minnesota in October, has found his rhythm, averaging 25.1 points and 13.9 rebounds.
• Towns has recorded 10 double-doubles in his last 11 games.

Brunson knows staying consistent is key as the season progresses:

“This can be a roller coaster; every season has its highs and lows,” Brunson said. “It’s all about us staying even-keeled, staying poised, staying confident within each other and continuing to keep moving forward.”

Key Supporting Cast

• Mikal Bridges (17.9 PPG) has provided steady two-way play.
• OG Anunoby (16.0 PPG) continues to be a key contributor on both ends of the floor.

Kings Riding Momentum Under Doug Christie

Since firing Mike Brown on Dec. 27, the Sacramento Kings (27-22) have won 10 of 13 games under interim coach Doug Christie.

Sacramento is currently the No. 9 seed in the West but sits just two games behind the No. 5 spot in a tightly packed conference playoff race.

The Kings showed their resilience in a 132-123 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, nearly erasing a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit before running out of time.

Domantas Sabonis & DeMar DeRozan Providing Stability

• Sabonis is a rebounding machine, averaging 21.0 points, a league-high 14.4 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game.
• DeRozan (21.9 PPG) has brought veteran leadership and clutch scoring.

Christie loved his team’s fight in the loss to Denver:

“That’s the type of fight and resiliency we want. If we fight like that, the byproduct will be a win most nights.”

Will De’Aaron Fox Break Out?

• Fox leads Sacramento with 25.4 PPG but is in a rare scoring slump, failing to reach 20 points in four straight games.
• He shot just 7-for-24 from the field vs. Denver.

Feel Like Your Bets Could Be Smarter?

Discover Winning NBA Odds And Strategies!

Join Us Now!

Christie remains confident in his star guard:

“When he breaks through, he’ll be fine. He’s going to continue to be the special player that we need him to be.”

Key Matchups & X-Factors

1. Jalen Brunson vs. De’Aaron Fox

• Two elite point guards leading their teams.
• Fox is struggling offensively, but he’s still a defensive menace.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Domantas Sabonis

• Battle of two All-Star big men.
• Towns will need to match Sabonis on the glass.

3. Knicks’ Defense vs. Kings’ Fast Pace

• The Knicks rank 3rd in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
• The Kings push the tempo, ranking top-10 in pace and scoring.

Prediction: Knicks Look to Defend MSG

The Knicks are tough to beat at home, but the Kings have been red-hot since Christie’s takeover.

With Brunson and Towns playing at an All-Star level, expect New York to pull out a hard-fought win in a game that could have major playoff implications down the line.