The New York Knicks are in need of a few things going in their direction before the season gets away.
Nothing hurts more than missing the playoffs by one or a couple of games. The team gets a low lottery pick (pending the luck of the lottery) and can not contend for a championship. In a season of 82 games, each one is just as important as one of the 16 games in the NFL. This is exactly why the New York Knicks need to get hot and there is no better time to do it, than right now.
Coach David Fizdale has already began to make adjustments, including benching Wayne Ellington in favor of the new fan-favorite Frank Ntilikina. The fans at Madison Square Garden have been roaring of chants “We Want Frank”, now they get their wish, as the French Point Guard will start his first game this year.
The next nine games for the Knicks are very important to the overall direction of the team. After a 95-83 loss to the Orlando Magic, the Knicks looked to bounce back against a key rival in the Boston Celtics, who seemed to start clicking as of late. Following the game, the Knicks schedule works in their favor, it’s just up RJ Barrett and the team to do the job. Games against the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks twice, Cleveland Cavaliers twice, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers rounds up the next slate, not including Friday’s loss to the Celtics.
The Kings have not looked so good to start the season. Head Coach Luke Walton has yet to get things clicking in Sac-Town. One of the best young cores in the NBA, led by De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, have yet to look like a playoff team. Since the team hasn’t been functioning at it’s best, expect the Knicks to be the favorites in Madison Square Garden. Following the Kings game, the Knicks play in Detroit against the Blake Griffin-less Pistons. If Mitchell Robinson can hold down the paint against the dominant Andre Drummond, this game can go either way. Knicks have more depth, which can work in their favor.
One of the marquee match-ups this year is seeing Dallas Mavericks power forward Kristaps Porzingis play against his former team. The New York Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks last year just hours after he demanded a trade. In return the Knicks received Dennis Smith Jr, DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round draft picks. With the Knicks striking out on the superstar free agents this past summer, safe to say the Dallas Mavericks won this trade. Dallas may have a dynamic duo in reigning rookie of the year Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, but can the Mavericks surrounding cast help consistently?
After, the Knicks face off against Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers in MSG. Then they fly to Chicago to play the Bulls in the United Center. The Cavaliers are a lottery team with first-time head coach John Beilein. I expect the Knicks to win, due to size and the better head coach. The Knicks already beat the Chicago Bulls 105-98 on October 28th and expect the same result this time around. A backcourt that lacks defensive presence in Tomas Satoransky and Zach Lavine, Barrett can have another big game. Knicks host the Mavericks following the Bulls game, which can be a good game that can go either way.
The Hornets come into town after, which should be a game dominated by the New York Knicks. Being, Charlotte is projected to finish with the worst record in the NBA. Following the second meeting with the Cavaliers, the Knicks go into Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers. Yes, the 76ers will be favorites but don’t rule out an upset, due to lack of depth on the 76ers bench and lack of three-point shooting.
The Knicks can easily go on a 7-2 run these next nine games, which is very important due to the games that follow, which are against the Spurs, Nets, Raptors, 76ers, Bucks, Nuggets, Pacers and Trail Blazers.
That is exactly why the time to get hot for the New York Knicks is right now. The lighter the schedule the easier the chances are of winning. So, before the schedule gets a little rough, It’s time for them to take advantage now.