Game 15: New York Knicks v Denver Nuggets

Game 15: New York Knicks v Denver Nuggets 

 Score: 82-104

By: Malcolm Merritt

Email: mjmerritt23@gmail.com

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The Knicks finish up their difficult road trip against the Denver Nuggets. 

The Knicks (3-11) grueling road trip is coming to an end in a familiar place for the Knicks superstar, Carmelo Anthony. Just three years ago, Anthony was demanding a trade out of the Mile High city in order to hit the Big Apple. He got what he wanted as the Knicks have done well in his presence, going deeper into the playoffs than they have in the last 13 years. The issue is, the Knicks are struggling now. Injured and void of any charisma, the Knicks aren’t showing any tenacity or excitement when they step on the hardwood. Carmelo Anthony said recently, “Right now, the game is not fun for nobody… The easiest thing is for us to go separate ways. We’ve got to be here for one another right now. The hardest thing to do right now is remain positive. It’s tough, but we have to do it.”

New York’s resurgence last year makes this stretch that much harder. With such lofty expectations coming in to this season, their play has the entire league wondering what is going on. This has begun to cause a crisis behind closed doors. Players have called several meetings and have called each other out on the floor in the middle of games. The discord is obvious as the team’s confidence slowly decreases with each loss that they pile up. It would be better if the Knicks had at least one place of comfort, but with their home losing streak and their injuries (specifically Tyson Chandler), they simply have to play a waiting game.

Tyson Chandler's (6) energy and leadership has been sorely missed as he recovers from his broken leg. 

Carmelo Anthony has been trying to support his team on his own, truly embracing his position as one of the bigger players on the team. He leads the team in points (26.5 ppg), rebounds (10.1 rpg) and assists (2.6).  But his assist numbers show exactly the kind of game New York has been playing. Amar’e Stoudemire made a comment that was assumed to be pointed at Melo. He talked about New York’s lack of ball movement and that’s what was crippling their offense. Anthony responded to the media of course, creating more of a hostile environment.

With so much swirling around the Knicks in this hectic losing streak, they look to try and make a push and end this trip on a high note against the Denver Nuggets (8-6). The Nuggets have always been strong offensively and this year is no exception. In their 117-110 win against the Timberwolves, they had eight players score in double figures. They are currently being led in scoring and assist by their Point Guard, Ty Lawson. They have played well as of recent, considering the loss of their center, JaVale McGee. The seven footer has been out with a stress fracture in his left tibia and will be out indefinitely. This has dramatically decreased their paint defense but not much of anything else.

The last time these two teams played, the Nuggets came away with a 117-94 win at home. The Knicks were hurt by injury as well as the fully healthy Nuggets took full advantage of the situation. The Knicks went 1-1 against them last year, averaging around 20 points against them.

Carmelo Anthony's great play might come to a screeching halt tonight against his former club. 

New York will get blown out this game, 104-82. The offensive power will be too much for the frail Knicks team and they won’t stand a chance. Being behind the entire game, their stagnant offense will show from the start as they finish with only 15 assists. They will be outshot, out-rebounded, out-blocked, they will lose in every facet of the game. Not saying that the Knicks are going to lie down and simply take the beating, but they wont be able to hang, at all.

Carmelo Anthony will have an off night, his shooting being spotty and sporadic, similar to J.R. Smith’s. The Knicks will not shoot well from the floor as a team either but shooting decently from beyond the arc, knocking down 9+ three pointers.

New York will be looking for their next win at home against the New Orleans Pelicans (6-8). There isn’t much to look up to otherwise in this season of downs.

Emotions are running rampant in the Knicks’ locker room, fan base and front office. In order to get out of this slump, they need to put this emotion into the game rather than beating each other down and pointing fingers. “It’s the easiest thing to do [pointing fingers]” said Carmelo Anthony. The game is in the hands of the Knicks and if they can find it in themselves to come together, then maybe change can come into the Knickerbockers’ territory. But until then, expect the worst.

So in the meantime, New York, take these tips, they may help... 

Bold Prediction: New York will not shoot above 40% from the field.

Tune into the game at 9:00 PM ET on MSG Network.