Knicks Preview: Keys to Defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov 17, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward

(6) looks to shoot over Charlotte Hornets forward

(40) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Hornets 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kristaps Porzingis vs. Serge Ibaka

The marquee matchup isn’t between small forward Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook. That duo won’t defend one another very often, if at all, during this meeting between the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The matchup to watch will be between power forwards Serge Ibaka and Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis is officially on the radar after dropping 29 points and 11 rebounds on the Charlotte Hornets. Respectfully, however, he did that against the likes of Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller.

Ibaka is an entirely different animal.

Ibaka is a three-time All-Defensive First Team honoree and a two-time league-leader in blocks. He’s also a dangerous 3-point shooter whose presence on the offensive glass is incredibly underrated.

If Porzingis can score against Ibaka, he can score against anyone.

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