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New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets: How and what to watch for

By Maxwell Ogden

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 12: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks in action against Trevor Booker #35 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 12, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeated the Knicks 120-112. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 12: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks in action against Trevor Booker #35 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 12, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeated the Knicks 120-112. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Prediction

Based off of talent alone, the New York Knicks should defeat the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are 3-2 through five games, however, and the Knicks are 0-3—a record that doesn’t include its winless preseason that featured two losses to Brooklyn.

As New York stares down the barrel of an 0-4 start to the 2017-18 NBA regular season, there’s no better time than now to end the drought.

The Knicks’ interior has performed at a high level, with Porzingis posting 30-plus points in two of the first three games. Willy Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, and Kyle O’Quinn have all played at a high level, as well, but the perimeter can’t make a similar claim.

The defense has been better than expected, but the Knicks have executed at a truly dreadful level on the offensive end of the floor.

New York is shooting a league-worst 24.2 percent from beyond the arc, and ranks dead last in offensive efficiency. Between Tim Hardaway Jr.’s abhorrent outings and the inconsistency at point guard, the Knicks have failed to provide the interior with any help whatsoever.

Thus, while Brooklyn may be riding high following its upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers, it’s also expected to play a second straight game without leading scorer D’Angelo Russell.

If the Knicks play as well as they’re capable of playing, the Nets’ magic should run out.

Prediction: 105-100, Knicks

Must Read: Five reasons the New York Knicks shouldn't trade Willy Hernangomez

The 0-3 start has been discouraging, but the New York Knicks will have the best player on the court, and thus, should defeat the Brooklyn Nets.

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