With a fifth consecutive victory in sight, the New York Knicks will entertain the challenge of the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, will make the journey to New York City aiming to avoid suffering three defeats on the bounce for the first time this season.
Match preview
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Following up a dominant display against the Sacramento Kings two days prior, the New York Knicks recorded their largest victory of the campaign, courtesy of a 143-106 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.
In a game that saw Tom Thibodeau's men record their joint second-highest point tally of the campaign, they were dominant from the tip-off to the final buzzer, having led for over 45 of the 48 minutes of action.
Mikal Bridges was on song for the Knicks once again as he notched 28 points on an impressive 12-19 shooting to make it 55 points over his last two games since Wednesday's 10-point display against former employers Brooklyn Nets.
Since losing three of their opening four matches in 2025, the Knicks have now won seven of their subsequent 10 games and have moved within one victory of second-placed Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings.
Having kicked off their five-game homestretch against Western opponents with back-to-back wins, Thursday's hosts now set out in search of a fourth straight triumph in front of their fans to close out January.
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The Denver Nuggets just about came up short away from home once again as they fell to a disappointing 129-121 defeat against a struggling Chicago Bulls outfit in Tuesday's encounter between the sides at the United Center.
Off the back of a solid first-half display that saw them go into the half-time break with a seven-point advantage, Michael Malone's men were usurped over the remaining two quarters of action during which they were outscored by a whopping 15 points.
Despite the defeat, Nikola Jokic was in top form once again, as he racked up a fifth triple-double in the last six matches with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists, all of which were game highs in their respective categories.
The Nuggets will now return to the drawing board as they look to snap a two-game losing streak and get themselves back to winning ways having recently won eight of their nine matches between January 9 and 24.
Courtesy of November's 145-118 blowout defeat against the Knicks, the Denver Nuggets have now lost all but one of the most recent five editions of this fixture either side of a 113-100 victory back in March.
With two of the four highest-scoring teams in the NBA this term, an enthralling affair is on the cards on Thursday as both title contenders seek to put their championship credentials on display.
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Team News
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Slovenia international Vlatko Cancar remains unavailable for the Denver Nuggets as he continues a rehabilitation phase after undergoing surgery to address a knee problem.
DaRon Holmes II is also ruled out with an ankle problem, while the involvement of Spencer Jones is currently hanging in the balance due to a thigh injury.
Fresh from recording a 21st triple-double of the season last time out, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic will be looking to deliver the goods for his side once again.
Mitchell Robinson still awaits his season debut having struggled with an ankle injury over the last couple of months, but the center is closing in on a return to action.
Like Robinson, Kevin McCullar Jr has also not featured this term due to a long-term knee injury, and the 23-year-old still faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
New York Knicks possible starting five:
Brunson, Hart; Bridges, Anunoby; Towns
Denver Nuggets possible starting five:
Westbrook, Murray; Braun, Porter Jr.; Jokic
We say: Knicks to win by 6+ points
The New York Knicks have been a force to reckon with on their home court, and given the Nuggets' recent struggles on the road, we fancy the hosts to carry the day when all is said and done.
Adepoju Marvellous
