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By Malcolm Merritt
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| Be sure to tune in to MSG Network Tomorrow Night! |
With the beginning of the New York Knicks’ season finally
upon us, it’s time for our Game-to-Game previews and analysis. For the first
matchup this year, the Hometown Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks at home. The
Milwaukee Bucks have done some work on their roster this offseason, revamping
it into a defensive minded team led by 4th year player Larry Sanders,
who finished second in blocks per
game last year (2.83). The Bucks are relying on his growth to carry them
through this season, as he’s only improved as time has passed. Also, the team
is looking for key contributions from their newcomers in the backcourt, Brandon
Knight and O.J. Mayo, who averaged a combined 28.6 points and 8.4 assists last
year.
The Knicks’ own offseason moves were decent, looking at
their cap-space situation. The Knicks drafted Tim Hardaway Jr. out of Michigan
and were able to acquire Andrea Bargnani in a trade with the Toronto Raptors.
They also signed former Laker, Metta World Peace and Yugoslavian veteran, Beno
Udrih. Both players have won championships earlier in their career and look to
bring the missing pieces together for an aging Knicks squad. Leaning on Carmelo
Anthony, the Knicks look to ride him through the second round of the playoffs
for the first time in over a decade. Competition is stiff in the East this year
as the Bulls and the Nets made substantial upgrades in the offseason (i.e. the return
of Derrick Rose and the Big
Nets-Celtics trade). But if the Knicks are able to space the floor, hit
their three point shots efficiently and effectively, and have stellar play from
Anthony and Chandler, they can make a reasonable dent in the pre-season predictions, but
they have to take things one game at a time.
My prediction is that the Knicks win their home debut in
their new and improved stadium, 102-92.
Carmelo Anthony will lead all scorers with 35 points, 12 boards (4 offensive),
and 3 assists. The Knicks superstar will also contribute on the defensive end
with a block and steal. Tyson Chandler will finish with a double-double, 14
points and 18 rebounds.
In their Knicks’ debut, Andrea Bargnani will continue his struggles
shooting 6 for 25 and 0 for 5 from beyond the arc for 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6
assists and 6 turnovers. He will largely be looked at as a secondary scoring
option in the absence of Former 6th Man of the Year, J.R.
Smith. Metta World Peace will have
a quiet entrance to the Garden, taking no shots, and playing an aggressive game
on defense (1 steal), that won’t show up with on the stat sheet. Beno Udrih
will come off the pine playing a similar role to former Knick, and now Brooklyn
Nets head coach, Jason Kidd, scoring 4 points and dishing 7 assists. Rookie Tim
Hardaway Jr. will finish with 2 points and 4 rebounds.
The Bucks will be strong on the defense throughout the game,
only to slip in the very last few minutes. O.J. Mayo will lead the team in
scoring with 17 points on just as many attempts. Larry Sanders will be dominant
on defense with 3 blocks, 2 steals and 12 boards while also putting up 13
points on the offensive end along with 2 assists. It will be a game where the
offense struggled to keep pace with the defense.
The Knicks as a team will shoot 44% from the field, 35% from
the 3-point line and 77.4% from the Free Throw Line. They will hit 6
3-pointers. The Bucks will shoot 38% from the floor, taking 102 shots,
33% from behind the arc, and 83% from the Free Throw Line.
Boldest Prediction:
The Knicks will take 25 more Free Throws than Milwaukee in this game.
Stats generated on whatifsports.com
Biography:
17-year-old Senior at Saint Peter's Prepatory School in
Jersey City, NJ.
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