The Knicks and Nets rivalry is renewed for the 2014-15 season tonight at The Barclay’s Center. Both teams enter tonight’s action coming off of bad losses; the Knicks to Detroit and the Nets to Minnesota. No matter the circumstance, typically the matchup between these two teams brings out good, tough basketball.
Heading into the season, these two teams were picked by many to be battling it out for second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Toronto Raptors. As it currently stands, that is exactly where the division lines up with Brooklyn a half game ahead of New York. While it is too early to even evaluate the standings, bragging rights are certainly on the line tonight.
The Knicks are coming off a brutal loss in Detroit where the team never really got it going until the final three minutes of the game. Carmelo Anthony needs to bounce back tonight (13-44 shooting his last two games) in order for the Knicks to have a chance at winning this game. The crowd is going to be very into it, so it is critical to get off to a good start and never take the foot off the gas. Derek Fisher has been rotating different power forwards into the starting lineup over the first five games, but it would be surprising to see him replace Jason Smith after a ridiculous shooting performance Wednesday night (7-9 for 17 point in the first half).
Like the Knicks, the Nets are adapting to a new coaching philosophy after hiring Lionel Hollins in the offseason. I personally think Hollins is a fabulous coach and saw tremendous success in Memphis with half the talent he has in Brooklyn. Joe Johnson remains as the go to guy for Brooklyn’s offense, and he has gotten off to an excellent start. The shooting guard is averaging 22 points on 51% shooting, including 42% from downtown. The Knicks cannot afford to let him get going tonight as Johnson, like Anthony, can go off at any point. It will be interesting to see who Fisher starts on Johnson. Maybe Iman Shumpert if Shane Larkin can handle Deron Williams?
Speaking of Williams, the point guard has re-emerged as one of the top point guards in the NBA again, averaging 17.5 points and 7.3 assists in his first four games. Combine the success of Williams and Johnson with a healthy Brook Lopez, and you have a very intriguing matchup.
Injuries:
New York: Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Pablo Prigioni
Brooklyn: None
What To Watch For…
- Can Melo Get It Going?
- The Knicks need Melo to get back on track tonight in Brooklyn. Without Anthony’s offense, the Knicks really lack a secondary scorer. In the Knicks two wins this year, Melo is averaging 26.5 points, whereas he is only averaging 15 in their three losses. With J.R. Smith back tonight, he should be able to provide some scoring relief for Anthony.
- How Will Tim Hardaway Jr. Do at Point Guard?
- After seeing Pablo Prigioni go down with an ankle injury in Detroit, the Knicks are down to one point guard. However, Fisher is thinking outside the box tonight and starting THJ at the point. This will provide the Knicks with a huge boost offensively, but he also is a major liability on the defensive end. Can he stop Deron Williams or Joe Johnson?
- Can STAT Stay Hot?
- Amar’e Stoudemire has gotten off to a great, healthy start this season. We have had the opportunity to see some vintage Amar’e so far, and tonight the Knicks need him more than ever. With Melo struggling, and Smith fresh off a suspension, STAT remains the only other consistent scoring option the Knicks have had.
It’s going to be an entertaining game to say the least. The tabloids should have fun with this one for sure.
Recap after the game.