The Knicks welcome the Nuggets to the Big Apple in what could be an NBA Finals preview.
After missing a month with a hyperextended left knee, Nikola Jokic returned over the weekend just in time for Wednesday night’s bout.
But it’s the emergence of a young stud during his absence that could be the key for Denver against the Knicks and moving forward.
Peyton Watson has been a revelation for the Nuggets in recent weeks, averaging 20.9 points per game over his last 20 appearances entering Tuesday’s 124-121 road loss to Detroit.
He was shooting the lights out over that stretch, connecting on 50.2 percent of his shots and 44.9 percent from 3-point land on nearly five attempts per game.
While Jokic is hogging the scoring opportunities, the injury to Aaron Gordon has apparently left enough chances for Watson to get his.
The Nuggets are also still without wings Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun, which has indirectly helped Watson’s development on offense.
Watson didn’t appear to lose a step when The Joker returned to the court against the Thunder on Sunday, either, scoring 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting versus a tough defense.
In fact, it hasn’t quite mattered who Watson is up against.
He scored fewer than 18 points in a game just twice over the past month entering Tuesday, and then tallied 17 points against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Betting on the NBA?
With plenty of sizable wings on the Knicks side and few other options to stop them on defense for the Nuggets, Watson may even get more play time than usual Wednesday.
Bet on Denver’s secret weapon to have a solid showing at Madison Square Garden.
The Play: Peyton Watson Over 16.5 points (-109, DraftKings)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.