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Game 11 of 82: NY Knicks v Indiana Pacers
Score: 87-97
By Malcolm Merritt
Follow on:
Twitter: @nykerrday &@mjmerritt323
Paul George (left) and the Indiana Pacers (9-1) come to the Mecca looking for a road win against the struggling Knicks.
It’s as simple as this: No matter what New York tries to do
with Iman
Shumpert, they’re limited cap space, and full roster, none of it will make
a difference. The Knicks need to gain a presence in the front-court in order for
them to move forward and upwards. The paint is the core of a successful team’s
offense and defense. Teams that dominate the paint by blocking shots and making
easy baskets, have a tendency to win games. An example of this is the 2012-13
Denver Nuggets. They finished 57-25 with the number one offense in the
entire league. Their front line, especially center Javale McGee,
created an environment where they owned the paint and they reaped the rewards.
The had an inside-outside game because of their interior presence.
The Knicks (3-7)
have had more than their fair share of offensive struggles thus far. That fact
accompanied by tonight’s matchup makes fans cringe. New York is taking on the
Eastern Conference Leading Indiana Pacers
(9-1) for the first time since their exit from last season’s playoffs. It
seems like Indiana is a much-improved team from last season. For starters, they
had only won 4 games up to this point. They currently have the number 1 defense
in the NBA allowing less than 87 points per contest. As they look to be the
first 10-win team in the league, their goals have shifted from making a
statement in the playoffs to dethroning the Miami Heat (8-3)
as NBA Champions.
Knicks fans are growing restless as they may be looking at another loss against the Pacers.
My prediction, Pacers win 97-87. When looking at tonight’s matchup, it doesn’t look too good
for the hometown Knicks. New York’s losing streak will continue tonight. Roy
Hibbert will lead the charge for the Pacers, with a 99.99% chance of having a
double-double. He is going to get eh ball early and often. This would give the
Knicks a 6-game home losing streak and a 4-game losing streak overall, only
continuing this nightmarish start.
Carmelo Anthony
will once again lead both teams in minutes, playing at least 45 this game. He
will score 25+ points against this Pacer team on a poor shooting night. New
York’s ball movement will once again be non-existent and the concept of
isolation will be rampant between Smith and
Anthony. Bargnani
will play well simply because of Hibbert’s reluctance to leave the paint, as he
will shoot at least 50% from three-point range.
Bargnani has been on fire recently for New York, and it won't stop this game.
Overall the Pacers perimeter defense will hold the Knicks to
a terrible shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Their filed goal percentage
won’t be much better. The Knicks need to move the ball in order to make a
difference offensively in addition to their front-court struggles.
Indiana will win the battle on the boards and their
superstar, Paul
George, will have close to a humble triple-double. He won’t shoot too well,
but well enough to get the job done. Also, his presence on the free throw line
will be felt tonight, coming into the game shooting 86% from the stripe.
Bold Prediction: Cole Aldrich
will get minutes tonight.
Check if the predictions come true tonight! Tune into the
game on ESPN or MSG Network at 7:00 PM ET!
 |
| Paul George (left) and the Indiana Pacers (9-1) come to the Mecca looking for a road win against the struggling Knicks. |
It’s as simple as this: No matter what New York tries to do
with Iman
Shumpert, they’re limited cap space, and full roster, none of it will make
a difference. The Knicks need to gain a presence in the front-court in order for
them to move forward and upwards. The paint is the core of a successful team’s
offense and defense. Teams that dominate the paint by blocking shots and making
easy baskets, have a tendency to win games. An example of this is the 2012-13
Denver Nuggets. They finished 57-25 with the number one offense in the
entire league. Their front line, especially center Javale McGee,
created an environment where they owned the paint and they reaped the rewards.
The had an inside-outside game because of their interior presence.
The Knicks (3-7)
have had more than their fair share of offensive struggles thus far. That fact
accompanied by tonight’s matchup makes fans cringe. New York is taking on the
Eastern Conference Leading Indiana Pacers
(9-1) for the first time since their exit from last season’s playoffs. It
seems like Indiana is a much-improved team from last season. For starters, they
had only won 4 games up to this point. They currently have the number 1 defense
in the NBA allowing less than 87 points per contest. As they look to be the
first 10-win team in the league, their goals have shifted from making a
statement in the playoffs to dethroning the Miami Heat (8-3)
as NBA Champions.
 |
| Knicks fans are growing restless as they may be looking at another loss against the Pacers. |
My prediction, Pacers win 97-87. When looking at tonight’s matchup, it doesn’t look too good
for the hometown Knicks. New York’s losing streak will continue tonight. Roy
Hibbert will lead the charge for the Pacers, with a 99.99% chance of having a
double-double. He is going to get eh ball early and often. This would give the
Knicks a 6-game home losing streak and a 4-game losing streak overall, only
continuing this nightmarish start.
Carmelo Anthony
will once again lead both teams in minutes, playing at least 45 this game. He
will score 25+ points against this Pacer team on a poor shooting night. New
York’s ball movement will once again be non-existent and the concept of
isolation will be rampant between Smith and
Anthony. Bargnani
will play well simply because of Hibbert’s reluctance to leave the paint, as he
will shoot at least 50% from three-point range.
 |
| Bargnani has been on fire recently for New York, and it won't stop this game. |
Overall the Pacers perimeter defense will hold the Knicks to
a terrible shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Their filed goal percentage
won’t be much better. The Knicks need to move the ball in order to make a
difference offensively in addition to their front-court struggles.
Indiana will win the battle on the boards and their
superstar, Paul
George, will have close to a humble triple-double. He won’t shoot too well,
but well enough to get the job done. Also, his presence on the free throw line
will be felt tonight, coming into the game shooting 86% from the stripe.
Bold Prediction: Cole Aldrich
will get minutes tonight.
Check if the predictions come true tonight! Tune into the
game on ESPN or MSG Network at 7:00 PM ET!
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