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Game 17: New York Knicks v Brooklyn Nets
Score: 101-83
By: Malcolm Merritt
Email: mjmerritt23@gmail.com
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| In a showdown of floundering New York teams, each one is looking to make a statement. |
This was supposed to be one of the most highly touted
match-ups of the season. It was supposed to be one of the most heated rivalries
of the year. Both teams were expected to make noise in the regular season and
create havoc in the playoffs, whether it is in the first round, second round,
or even the Eastern Conference Finals. As a matter of fact, these teams were
ranked in a way where they would meet each other in the playoffs! That was this
past summer though. The Knicks (3-13)
cross the bridge into hated territory Thursday night. The Brooklyn Nets
(5-13) are trying to establish themselves in this state. To be frank, this
is a must win game for both clubs.
Both teams are coming off very, very, very rough starts.
Together, they totaled 8 wins thus far. Double that and you have the Indiana Pacers’
win total (16-2). Nets head coach Jason Kidd, said
it simply, “Both teams stink.” It’s true; both teams have been horrendous and
have been hit with injuries that have set them way back of their championship
aspirations. Everybody knows about the uncanny spending of Nets owner Mikhail
Prokhorov. That spending landed the Brooklyn team in the spotlight for a
majority of the offseason. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry
suited up, as they were getting ready to make a title run. The team they left,
the Boston
Celtics (8-12), is 1st in the Atlantic Division without their
star point guard, Rajon Rondo. Wow is right. It’s not paying off. On Tuesday
night, the Denver
Nuggets (11-7) absolutely annihilated the Nets, 111-87. With the losing
taking over the organization and the pressure being on, Jason Kidd, former Net
and Knick, fired Lawrence Frank, his assistant coach, who was supposed to be
his right hand man.
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| Jason Kidd fired Lawrence Frank. Will anybody fire him? |
The Knicks have lost 9 straight and need a statement win.
Last in their division, they are only 3 games behind of the division-leading
Celtics. So, Mike
Woodson‘s comments about winning the division are still very realistic at
this point. Also, as time has
passed and the Knicks have been evaluated more and more, the problem is
commonly shifting weight from Woodson
to the
roster. One day, he’s on the hot seat for not keeping his team’s morale up
and getting them out of this funk. The next day, the players aren’t playing to
the best of their ability and are struggling to score on the offensive end,
while occasionally looking completely lost on defense. The blame cannot fall on
one individual player, especially not Carmelo Anthony.
As I’ve said repeatedly, he has played with a certain grit and tenacity that
isn’t seen in many places around the league. He is playing desperation
basketball right now and the rest of the Knicks need to follow suit. He
rebounds hard, often fighting for offensive boards and scores well. The problem
is, he is the ONLY source of offensive production coming from the Knickerbockers.
He is the only player in the NBA to lead his team in scoring for every game
thus far.
And against the Nets on Thursday night, he will do the same.
The Nets are crippled right now, with the absence of Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko,
Paul Pierce and Deron
Williams. They are asking Brook Lopez
and Joe Johnson
to carry this team and it’s not easy. Kevin Garnett has played limited minutes
and this is the exact reason why the Knicks will win this one by a large
margin. 90% of the games the Knicks have played this year have been close,
rarely losing by a large margin. They look like a team that is trying and
simply can not get it. But with the Nets so vulnerable, they are going to take
advantage of this opportunity.
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| The Knicks haven't smiled all year, and they may get their first taste of happiness against the Nets. |
My prediction, 101-83 New York. Carmelo Anthony will break
30 points and add at least 7 rebounds. Andrea Bargnani
will continue his defensive dominance from last game, with at least 2 blocks
while Iman
Shumpert will step up on the defensive end as well.
The Knicks will win the battle on the boards but will have
trouble containing Joe Johnson who may just light up the Knicks with another
20+ point performance. Brook Lopez will have a modest double-double while Kevin
Garnett will not make much of an impact.
In their first matchup of four against Jason Kidd, who
played for the Knicks just last season (hitting a game winner against Brooklyn
in this same arena), New York will play its most complete game up to date. Now
this game won’t be as intense as it will be later in the year. I fully expect
this to be a very close contest when both teams are healthy and have turned
their seasons around. So for now, view this game as a warm up to what will
hopefully live up to its reputation as a true rivalry.
Tune into the game at 7:00 PM ET on TNT or MSG Network!
If you want to know more about the Knicks, check out the
rest of my blogs at nyknicksgametogame.blogspot.com
or follow by email!
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