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Score:
120-115
By Malcolm Merritt
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| The Knicks are looking to carry their success from last game into this match-up with the Spurs. |
Excitement is burning through the bodies and minds of every
Knicks fan out there. On Sunday, the Knicks (2-3)
will take on the San Antonio
Spurs (5-1). The wait is over. At 12:00 PM ET, J.R.
Smith will suit up for the first time this year, after serving a five game
suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. The New Jersey Native talked
to the media: “I can’t wait (to return)… I’m anxious more than anything. I just
want to do so well for my teammates.”
Smith
is just the scoring punch the Knicks need, as Carmelo Anthony
has been the center of attention for the last four defenses New York has
played. With another high volume scorer coming off the bench, he is raising the
overall play of a suspect second unit. This will ultimately change New York's current trajectory after the slow start. The change starts with taking down the visiting Spurs.
The Knicks organization is invigorated with spirit for this
matchup. After the success Woodson saw with the line up he used against
Charlotte, he opted for the same against San Antonio (Felton, Prigioni,
Shumpert, Anthony, and Bargnani). This unit is smaller but when locked into the
game, can stretch the floor and wreak havoc for post defenders.
The Spurs are coming off a win against the Golden State
Warriors (4-2), who were without Star Guard, Stephen Curry. It was a poor
offensive outing for both teams with the final score being
76-74. The Spurs shot 26% from three-point range during the game.
Momentum from their previous games will push these teams
into a tight contest. The prediction: the Knicks will win 120-115, holding off
a strong fourth quarter surge by the Spurs. Both teams will shoot over 45% from
beyond the arc. In his return, JR Smith will have a hot start, scoring at least
20 points. Carmelo Anthony will once again lead all scorers with 28 points. But
the best player on the Knicks will be Andrea Bargnani. Coming off of his
breakout game against the Bobcats, his ability to space the floor will have a
much greater impact on the game because of the presence of Tim Duncan. Look for
Bargnani to have a double-double and shoot very well from the free throw line.
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will respectively lead the way
for their team in scoring. I fully expect the Spurs ability to move the ball to be evident, as Tony Parker will pile up the assists and the Spurs will have 30+
assists in the game, while also shooting at least 50% from the field. This will
completely out match the Knicks ability to move the ball. The Knicks will get
their offensive production from a myriad of players contributing individually, as 5+ will
score in double digits. On the other end, New York’s smaller line up will beat
the Spurs on the boards by a slim margin, but that margin will be the
difference in the game.
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| Individual players will make contributions rather than an overall team effort. |
In the past few seasons, the Knicks have seen some success
against the Spurs. In their last two match-ups, the Knicks won 104-100 on the
road and 100-83 at home. In both games, the Spurs found an answer for
Carmelo and JR Smith stepped up to the plate. A win on Sunday is dependent on
the rest of the Knicks’ ability to step up and play hard. This win would drag
them out of the description of a second-tier team and propel them back
into the conversation of Eastern
Conference contenders.
The game starts at 12:00 PM ET on MSG Network make sure to
tune in! Go Knicks!
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