Game 10 of 82: New York Knicks v Detroit Pistons

Game 10 of 82: NY Knicks v Detroit Pistons

Score: 83-94

By Malcolm Merritt 

Follow on:

Instagram: @mjdaddy323 

Twitter: @nykerrday &@mjmerritt323

The New York Knicks are looking to turn their season around against a hungry Detroit Pistons squad ready to do the same. 

It’s been a rough start to say the least. The New York Knicks (3-6) are in a struggle that not many people had foreseen. With trade rumors swirling around Iman Shumpert and the absence of a strong frontcourt presence, the Knicks are spiraling out of control, and need something to hold onto, quickly. They are not doing many things well at the moment. Heading into tonight’s game, the Knicks are scoring 94.3 points per game (23^rd in the League), 38.8 Rebounds per game (29^th in the League), 19.3 assists per game (23^rd in the League) and allow 99.7 points per game (16^th points per game).  The Knicks expected an offensive boost from J.R. Smith just hasn’t been there and New York is once again, relying solely on their Superstar Carmelo Anthony to do all of the heavy lifting. Smith is currently averaging 9.8 points per game with a terrible shooting percentage of 22.6% (61.5% from the Free Throw Line). For the Knicks to get out of this slump, players need to step up soon, or this could have negative long-term effects on the organization.

Carmelo Anthony recently stated, after their 5^th straight home loss and 20-point loss to Atlanta, “I’m disappointed in all our effort. We’re not getting it done form an effort standpoint. It’s like we’re not even trying right now… We can’t worry about the boos. We got to play harder. We’re not playing worth a [expletive] right now… I know it’s early in the season, but at the rate this is going, we’re going to be in a hole too deep to dig out.” This is the worst possible time for Carmelo’s frustration. He has already told the media that he wants to test free agency. He has also told the media that he wants to “retire in New York.” His 3 year, $64.17 million dollar contract has a player option where he will choose to opt out. If the season continues down this dark path, will he want to return? Carmelo Anthony is shouldering the load of this team, literally. With a shoulder injury that has been bothering him since last season’s playoffs, Anthony is fearful that his league leading 40.5 minutes per game may do damage to him. Not many players would be willing to stay in an environment like this. This would not be good news for New York.

Is too much pressure being put on Carmelo Anthony to lead this team?

The only thing they need right now is good news though, and as they play in the Palace tonight against the Detroit Pistons (3-6) Detroit has also been a disappointment. With big offseason acquisitions through trade, free agency and the draft, Detroit was looking for a much-improved season. As analyst Amin Elhassan predicted, their offense has been subpar coming into this matchup and is looking for a change somewhere along the line as they try to change themselves from bottom feeders into a playoff contender.

Both teams are coming into the game looking for an improvement of some kind that will jumpstart their season and put them into the places they were expected to be in. But in tonight’s matchup, Detroit will please their home crowd and continue New York’s losing streak, 94-83. This game is going to be decided by the Piston’s frontcourt. Drummond, Monroe, and Smith. They will dominate New York’s small line up and will completely obliterate them on the board, especially with the absence of Metta World Peace, who drained his left knee earlier this week and the limited roles of Kenyon Martin and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Tonight, Detroit will show the league why they have one of the best front-courts in the NBA.

Defensively, both teams will play well, but New York will shut down Detroit on the perimeter, forcing them to drive the ball inside and win the game their. With Carmelo Anthony hoisting up shots alongside J.R. Smith, neither of them will shoot well and the Knicks will find themselves in a hole. With the Pistons getting the much needed home win tonight, a loss here will only fuel the Knicks front office in trying to make a trade with any available suitor.

Tune into the game tonight at 7:30 PM ET to see if the predictions come true on MSG Network!

Bold Prediction: Detroit will not shoot above 30% from the 3-point line tonight.