The New York Knicks will host the Miami Heat on Saturday night. It is Dwyane Wade’s final game at Madison Square Garden.
Seven games remain for the New York Knicks in the 2018-19 season, as they inch their way to this campaign’s finale and a much needed dive into the offseason, with free agency and the draft ahead.
The Knicks were blown out by yet another team on Thursday. The depleted Toronto Raptors defeated them, 117-92, and without Kawhi Leonard, again. It was accompanied by 19 points and 21 rebounds from Mitchell Robinson, but this felt like a minor note on another disappointing night.
That gave New York a 14-61 record. The franchise-worst mark is 17-65, which was set in 2014-15. A 3-4 record is needed to match this and 4-3 to avoid it. Both, for now, seem unlikely, barring a miraculous late-season run.
2018-19 already marks just the second time the Knicks have lost 60 games in a season, so the misery is already a foregone conclusion. Expectations were always low in a “developmental” season, but they have cratered into the NBA’s worst record.
Head coach David Fizdale provided rare dissatisfaction with his team’s play, as well, per the New York Post, instead of the even keel approach of the previous 74 games.
"“It doesn’t have to be positive. It won’t be positive [Friday] in the film session.’’"
Given the youth and inexperience throughout the roster, Fizdale took it easy on his 15-man group, but their past five games have featured double-digit point losses, only one of which was below 15 points.
As for Saturday night, the Knicks will host Dwyane Wade one last time. His final NBA season has featured celebrations at each road destination, and since Fizdale coached the future Pro Basketball Hall of Famer in Miami, this could be a special night for both of them. Plus, will Wade do another jersey exchange, even in his second trip to New York this season?
Game information on the Knicks and the Miami Heat is below, including the start time, TV info, alternate way to watch and more:
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Manhattan, NY
Venue: Madison Square Garden
TV info: MSG, FSS
Other: NBA League Pass
The Knicks and Heat will play on MSG and FSS, For those not in the New York and Miami areas, the game will air on NBA League Pass, but for a subscription price. See which package best suits your interest.