Knicks should be confident against Bucks tonight at MSG
The Worlds Most Famous Arena will come to life once again tonight, as Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Robin Lopez, and the rest of the New York Knicks (18-20) are hosting the disappointing Milwaukee Bucks (15-23).
Tonight’s game will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between these two Eastern Conference teams this year. After beating the Bucks by 25 points on opening night, the Bucks have won each of the last two games these teams have played against each other.
Despite coming into tonight’s game with a record under .500, and sitting in 10th place and out of the Playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks and their fans should come into tonight’s game feeling good about the way the team has played recently. The Knicks are back home after arguably their toughest stretch of games they’ll play all season.
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New York just finished playing 11 straight games against teams that if the playoffs started tonight, would be playing. The stretch included 10 straight against Eastern Conference Playoff teams, with the eleventh game for good measure being a road game against the mighty Spurs, who happen to be undefeated at home this year. The Knicks played well in San Antonio, had the ball and the last shot for a chance to the win. The Knicks lost to the Spurs by one point, but showed toughness. Knicks fans like toughness.
Not only was the competition tough, the 11 game gauntlet included two separate three-game road trips, with 7 out of the 11 games being played away from MSG. The Knicks went 5-6 during the stretch which is no reason to throw a parade, but when you consider the level of competition the Knicks played, the fact that the Knicks have won 4 out of their last 6 games, and then mix in the fact that last year’s Knicks squad probably would have lost 9 or 10 of the games – the 5-6 record is a sign of progress for the fans and players.
I expect the Knicks to come out with some extra energy and excitement tonight. It’s been a full week since the last home game, and the fans are excited about the team, but energy and excitement isn’t enough to get wins in the NBA.
Carmelo Anthony has shot just 12 for 33 in his last two games against the Bucks,and not surprisingly, the Bucks have won each of those games. Melo obviously needs to be more efficient than that tonight if the Knicks plan on getting a win. Melo is the catalyst, everything good and bad runs through him.
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Kristaps has played well against Milwaukee this year, averaging around 15 points and 8 rebounds, and one huge put back dunk. Robin Lopez will look to prove to Knicks fans that he was the better free agent choice over Greg Monroe. Role players like Lance Thomas and Derrick Williams need to keep up their quality of play, and continue to bring effort and energy off the bench every night.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Knicks have lots of problems with good point guards who can get in the lane and finish. Michael Carter-Williams drives the Milwaukee bus these days, and he is playing well right now for Milwaukee. Jose Calderon will have his hands full with Carter-Williams tonight.
If the Knicks can find a way to control Carter-Williams and keep him from getting in the paint and creating for his teammates, keep bodies on Greg Monroe and John Henson and be competitive on the boards, the Knicks should come away with a nice home win against an underachieving Bucks team.
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Expectations are starting to rise in Knick fans. Playoff possibilities are creeping in our thoughts. We can’t help it, we love our Knicks. Tonight is a game that the Knicks need to win, a game they should win, a game at home against a team with a worse record than them, but tonight’s also a game that Knicks fans have seen their favorite NBA team lose way too often to. Show us something tonight Knicks, your fans are watching.