Betting
Portland Trail Blazers vs New York Knicks Preview: Odds, Tips & Predictions
Portland has a 16-20 overall record and 7-9 at home, while New York has a 23-12 record and a 7-8 away record. Both teams have different goals for the season, but what is constant is building momentum as the season approaches its midpoint. With that in mind, this matchup is worth tracking closely on top USA betting sites, where lines can move quickly based on late news
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Spike Lee reacts during the fourth quarter between the New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers /Getty Images
How to Watch Portland Trail Blazers vs New York Knicks
Date: Sunday, Jan 11th, 2026
Tip-Off Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
TV: KUNP-LD TV
Streaming: Stream with NBA League Pass MSGN/Gotham Sports App
Records: Portland Trail Blazers (16-20), New York Knicks (23-12)
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
- Portland Trail Blazers: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- New York Knicks: 2/7 (1.29) – 77.8%
- Forecast odds – Betting available on BetMGM closer to the event.
Head-to-Head Record
Last 5 meetings (NFL)
- 30/03/2025 New York Knicks 110-93 Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden
- 12/03/2025 Portland Trail Blazers 113-114 (Overtime) New York Knicks at Moda Center
- 14/03/2024 Portland Trail Blazers 93-105 New York Knicks at Moda Center
- 09/01/2024 New York Knicks 112-84 Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden
- 14/03/2023 Portland Trail Blazers 107-123 New York Knicks at Moda Center
Portland Trail Blazers: Current Form- WWLWW (Last five results)
The Portland Trail Blazers have won four games against the Spurs 115-110, the Pelicans 122-109, the Mavericks 125-122, and the Celtics 114-108, with a 124-95 loss against the Thunder coming in between.
The Trail Blazers’ offense is primarily a pace-and-space system that emphasizes ball movement and quick transition play to compensate for past half-court struggles. They are 17th in the NBA with points per game with 116.2 and 27th in the NBA with 24.6 assists. They have a strong offensive rebounding percentage, among the league leaders, which helps create extra possessions and second-chance points.
Their defense, on the other hand, is defined by an aggressive, full court pressing style designed to force turnovers and generate easy offense. Their defense ranks 1st in the NBA in steals per play and opponents’ turnovers per possession.
Portland Trail Blazers Offense vs. New York Knicks Defense
The Trail Blazers' offense is a dynamic, fast-paced system focused on player movement and shooting that has shown flashes of efficiency despite the team's ongoing roster transition. The offense incorporates various set plays, including pick-and-rolls, zipper cuts, and flex sets, while also utilizing effective spacing.
On the other hand, the Knicks’ defense has been on a downward trajectory since their NBA Cup victory in Vegas. In eight games since their triumph, the Knicks have a defensive rating of 120.9, the fourth worst in the NBA over that stretch. Clearly, this is a grey area in need of improvement.
Key Players to Watch
- Deni Avdija (Small Forward)
Deni Avdija is the primary offensive catalyst, leading the team in points per game with 25.7 and assists per game with 7.1.
- Shaedon Sharpe (Shooting Guard)
Sharpe is a key scoring threat, particularly from three-point range and as a slasher. He also leads the team in steals with 1.5
- Donovan Clingan (Center)
Clingan has been the team’s interior force on both ends of the floor. He averages a double-double for the season with 11.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, coupled with 1.3 blocks per game.
Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report
Jrue Holiday (calf), Jerami Grant (Achilles), Robert Williams III (knee), Matisse Thybulle (knee), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Blake Wesley (foot fracture), and Damien Lillard will all be unavailable. These injuries are highly significant.
New York Knicks: Current Form- LLWWW (Last five results)
The Knicks have lost three games against the 76ers 130-119, the Hawks 111-99, and the Spurs 134-132, while they have won against the Pelicans 130-125 and the Hawks 128-125.
The Knicks’ offense is a pace-and-motion system built on constant player movement, high-volume three-point shooting, and a democratic sharing of the ball. They are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating at around 121.6 and 4th in the NBA in points per game with 120.5. They are also 1st in the NBA in assists per turnover with 2.299.
On the other hand, their defense has been subpar even though they are blessed with defensive stalwarts. They have a defensive rating of 115.2.
New York Knicks Offense vs. Portland Trail Blazers Defense
The Knicks' offense has shown flashes of being "unstoppable," with multiple instances of high-scoring quarters and a top-two offensive rating early in the season. However, the team has faced challenges with consistency, especially when key players are injured or the pace slows down into isolation play.
The Trail Blazers’ defense, on the other hand, sacrifices efficiency in some conventional areas (like points per game allowed or field goal percentage) for the disruptive power of forcing turnovers. This style creates significant scoring runs for the Blazers, as their defense directly fuels their offense, proving effective for a team aiming to play a fast-paced game.
Key Players to Watch
- Jalen Brunson (Point Guard)
Jalen Brunson is the Knicks' primary playmaker, leading scorer, and off-ball threat. He is averaging 29.3 points per game and 6.5 assists per game.
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Center)
Towns is an Inside-out scoring threat, who is vital for spacing, a handoff hub. He is averaging 22 points per game and 11.8 rebounds.
- Mikal Bridges (Small Forward)
Bridges is an iron man who is a two-way threat, floor spacer, and secondary ball-handler. He is averaging 16.2 points per game and 1.7 steals.
New York Knicks Injury Report
Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder) are the only absentees for the Knicks. These injuries are not detrimental to the team’s performance.
Predicted Line-Ups
Portland Trail Blazers
Point Guard: Deni Avdija
Shooting Guard: Shaedon Sharpe
Small Forward: Toumani Camara
Power Forward: Sidy Cissoko
Center: Donovan ClinganNew York Knicks
Point Guard: Jalen Brunson
Shooting Guard: Miles McBride
Small Forward: Mikal Bridges
Power Forward: OG Anunoby
Center: Karl-Anthony Towns
Suggested Main Bets
When you bet on NBA games, it helps to keep it simple and focus on a few key angles like recent form, home court, and pace.
Trail Blazers to Win – The Trail Blazers have maintained impressive momentum, winning four out of their past five games. With a home game, they are expected to continue their winning streak.
Total Points: Over 220.5 – Both teams will be looking to make as many scores as possible in this game. Therefore, they are expected to hit the 220.5-point mark, cumulatively.
Trail Blazers to Cover a -1.5 Point Spread: The Blazers have a history of trailing closely to their opponents, which might not be an exception in this game.
Prop Bets & Same-Game Parlay Ideas
Jalen Brunson to Score Over 20 points – Brunson’s average points per game is 29.3; hence, he is likely to go above the 20-point mark in this game.
Knicks Total Points: Over 115 points: The Knicks have been averaging more than 115 points per game; hence, they are likely to achieve this target.
Why the Trail Blazers Can Win
- The Knicks have recently been letting games slip through their fingers, as shown by three consecutive losses. Therefore, they might be unfortunate in this game, considering that it is a road game.
- The Trail Blazers will be seizing this game, taking it as an opportunity to climb the standings.
- The momentum shown by the Trail Blazers is undeniable, and if unleashed in this game, they are deemed to succeed.
Expert Prediction
Portland is less likely to let this game slip away, right when they just began recording wins. Moreover, this will be a home game, and it is only reasonable that they emerge victoriously to render their standings justifiable and to prove themselves right to their fans.
Ian Wanyeki is a Nairobi-based sports journalist with a strong passion for sport and an impressive grasp of multiple disciplines. A Bachelor of Science graduate from Kenyatta University, he has worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, a sports reporter at NTV, and a correspondent and contributor for Quartz Africa.
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