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New York Knicks: 3 players to watch vs Nets including Spencer Dinwiddie

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a foul in the second half of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on December 21, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Spencer Dinwiddie #8 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a foul in the second half of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on December 21, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will open their penultimate game of 2019 against the Brooklyn Nets. A look at the three players to watch from this matchup.

On Thursday night, the New York Knicks will return from their holiday festivities to continue the 2019-20 NBA season. It starts with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, who infamously swiped Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the most recent NBA free agency.

The Nets are 2-0 against New York this season, so who are the players to watch in their third game?

Elfrid Payton

The new leader of New York’s point guard pack, Elfrid Payton has started the past two games for interim coach Mike Miller. Despite shooting just 33.3 percent for 5.5 points, he has 11 assists and 2.5 steals per game in this brief stretch. That’s what the Knicks expected from the season’s start before a hamstring injury took the veteran guard off the court in late October.

Payton is delivering the goods, but it also must contribute to a win. The Knicks probably need a little more scoring from him, even if it’s around the 10-16 points he compiled in a three-game road outing earlier this month. Making just five of his past 15 shots won’t cut it.

Mitchell Robinson

For a few games, Mitchell Robinson seemingly turned around his foul woes. He averaged just 1.8 personal calls per game across five appearances, signaling a positive trend for the second-year center.

However, the past five games have seen Robinson average five fouls per contest, including fouling out against the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. They were not signs of the right direction, and the young big man has more work to do to stay on the court.

Robinson also has a game of 22 points and 13 rebounds between this. He’s showing activity and stellar play on the boards, but to keep his defensive presence intact, limiting those fouls is necessary. Perhaps it starts Thursday night.

Spencer Dinwiddie

Don’t look now, but Spencer Dinwiddie is quickly becoming the latest Nets guard to reach All-Star form.

Kyrie Irving has been a nonfactor for Brooklyn for all but 11 games. Since Nov. 16, Dinwiddie has stepped into the starting point guard role and not looked back, averaging 26.1 points and 7.2 assists in that time. The Nets are 16-13 and in the playoff picture due to his play.

Dinwiddie’s past three games have been off the charts, making 46.3 percent of his shots for 37 points and six assists. The 3-point shoot did not ascend after two duds, but this rising guard played like the offensive catalyst role, which was once expected from Irving.

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Plus, Dinwiddie usually finds a way to attack the New York Knicks. He owns a combined 50 points on 12-for-29 shooting in two games this season, both of which the Nets won. His game usually takes a step forward against the Knicks, so look for another strong night from the 26-year-old.

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