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Knicks: Playoff Chances and Second Half Schedule Preview

By Tyler Harris

Julius Randle, Knicks. POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports
Julius Randle, Knicks. POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /
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NY Knicks (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Breaking down some of the NY Knicks’ second-half matchups.

  • A grueling four-game road trip to restart the season
    • The Knicks’ second half of the season begins March 11 with a four-game road trip, starting in Milwaukee against the third-placed Bucks. This trip really sets the tone for the second half as New York will face off against all three of the top teams in the East. A trip to Oklahoma City is mixed in between these games for some respite (maybe? They did beat us earlier in the season).
    • A back-to-back against cross-town rivals Brooklyn and MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid and the Sixers will follow – a huge test for the team and its defense – the Knicks might come home licking their wounds from this four-game stretch.
  • Home-sweet-home
    • Thankfully, the team returns to New York with a four-game home-stand that on paper looks friendlier. Kicking off against eastern conference cellar dwellers the Orlando Magic (who should be in full tank mode) before Philly visits the Garden – let’s hope Mitch Robinson is back to full health for that one to at least try and somewhat contain Embiid.
    • A rare two-game matchup against the Wizards to round out the home-stand are the exact types of games the Knicks must win if they are to stay in the playoff fight. The Knicks vaunted defense will be tested by the league’s leading scorer – Bradley Beal (32.9ppg).
  • Tough opposition and a good old fashioned grudge match
    • Another trip to the ‘Cream City’ Milwaukee to face the Greek Freak is followed by a huge must-win on March 29 against the Miami Heat at MSG. – Games against fellow playoff aspirants at home are crucial.
    • Later that week it’s Friday Night Knicks in a grudge match of sorts against Dallas. – Porzingis (if he plays) will no doubt hear some friendly words of advice from the Garden crowd. Gotta win that one for pride.
  • Knicks and Nets
    • It’s an April 5th trip across the bridge to the Barclays Center against the ‘Big 3’ in Brooklyn – The no-defense Nets will be an exciting matchup, can the Knicks slow them down?
  • More playoff caliber opposition
    • Then come some big games with playoff standing ramifications – Celtics in Boston, Grizzlies in Memphis, and Toronto at MSG. – If the Raptors could leave Norman Powell in New York for the Knicks, I’d be pretty darn grateful.
    • Anyway, I digress – All three of these teams are fighting for playoff spots in their respective conferences, and they’ll all be tough matchups to win.
  • King James @Madison Square Garden – April 12th.
    • There’s not much more that needs to be said – LBJ in New York is always box office stuff.
  • A make or break home-stretch
    • This is perhaps the most critical stretch of games of the year for the New York squad. It’s a 6 game home-stand that simply has to be taken advantage of.
    • The only problem is, each game is against competition that are all fighting to secure themselves a ticket to the post-season – Pelicans, Hornets, Hawks, Raptors, Suns, and Bulls.
    • The playoff implications are big, have a bad stretch – you might find yourself out of the playoff picture. Have a good stretch – put yourself in the box seat for a spot in the top 6 or at worst, home-court advantage in the play-in tournament.
    • The importance of this home stretch is further underlined as a brutal west coast road trip is to follow.
  • A west coast nightmare
    • Out west, the Knicks will face off against Memphis, Denver, Phoenix, and both LA teams – Clippers and Lakers. There’s no doubt that this is the toughest set of games on the calendar for New York.
    • The only respite of this trip is that they face a depleted Houston team to start with. That will be a must-win.
  • A big finish at the Garden
    • New York returns to MSG to finish out the regular season with three playoff shaping games against San Antonio, Charlotte, and Boston that will likely determine their ultimate fate.
    • Needless to say – these are important matchups. They should also act as a precursor to the post-season, it’s not often you get end-of-season games with so much riding on them. That’s exactly how this might play out given how tight the Eastern Conference is.

To see the full remaining schedule for New York, click here

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