New York aims for sixth straight victory against Washington team on a 15-game losing streak
Category: Sports
The New York Knicks (46-25) are set to host the Washington Wizards (16-54) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Knicks are riding high on a five-game winning streak, and they are heavily favored to extend that run against a Wizards team that has lost 15 consecutive games.
New York comes into this matchup fresh off a narrow 93-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, where Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 26 points and 15 rebounds. The Knicks have shown impressive form recently, having won seven of their last ten games. They currently lead the season series against the Wizards 2-0, having previously defeated them 132-101 on February 3 and 119-102 on November 3.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are struggling significantly, having lost 15 straight games. Their defense has been particularly porous, allowing at least 130 points during six of those losses and at least 120 points during 12 games. Just last night, they fell 132-111 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, though they did manage to cover the spread by being 21.5-point underdogs. The Wizards’ performance has left them ranked 25th offensively, scoring an average of 112.5 points per game, and they hold the league's worst defensive rating, allowing a staggering 123.8 points per game.
Key players for Washington include Alex Sarr, who averages 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and veteran C.J. McCollum, who contributes 18.8 points per game. Unfortunately for the Wizards, they will also be without Trae Young, who is sidelined due to a quadriceps injury, along with Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson, and Anthony Davis, all of whom are out or not expected to return until late March or early April.
The Knicks are not without their injury concerns either. Josh Hart is listed questionable with a knee issue, and they will also be without Landry Shamet and Miles McBride due to injuries. Kevin McCullar Jr. is a game-time decision, adding a layer of uncertainty to the Knicks' lineup.
For bettors, the odds heavily favor the Knicks. They are listed at -3000 on the moneyline, meaning a bet of $3,000 would yield a mere $100 profit. The Wizards, on the other hand, are at +1200, indicating a potential payout of $1,200 on a $100 bet. The spread is set at -19.5 for the Knicks, and experts suggest leaning toward New York to cover, citing their superior performance against the Wizards historically. The Knicks have covered the spread against Washington four times consecutively and are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) over their last ten matchups.
With the Over/Under set at 226.5, there’s a strong case for betting the Over, particularly considering Washington’s defensive struggles and New York’s potent offense. The Over has hit seven times out of the last ten games for the Wizards, and four out of the last six matchups between these two teams.
Analysts predict a final score favoring the Knicks at 126-105. This would extend New York's winning streak and deepen Washington's woes, solidifying their position at the bottom of the league standings.
Fans and analysts alike are intrigued by the dynamics of this matchup. The Knicks are expected to dominate, continuing their trend of strong performances at home. The Wizards, on the other hand, are just hoping to salvage some pride from what has been a dismal season. With a roster riddled with injuries and a lack of momentum, the Wizards face an uphill battle on the road.
For those planning to catch the game, it promises to be a compelling watch, if only to see if the Knicks can maintain their form and if the Wizards can finally break their losing streak. Will New York continue to roll, or will Washington find a way to pull off an upset? The answer will come Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.