Daily Knicks
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Predicting how Knicks will fare on challenging five-game road trip

By Jordanna Clark

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 08: Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Denver Nuggets defends Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Ball Arena on February 8, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 08: Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Denver Nuggets defends Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Ball Arena on February 8, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4: Knicks at Nuggets

In the second game of a back-to-back, the Knicks will travel to Denver to take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. It’s been a little over 16 years since New York beat Denver in Colorado, with the Knicks’ last win taking place against a Carmelo Anthony-led Nuggets team on Nov. 8, 2006. For context, the starting lineup back then was Marbury-Crawford-Richardson-Curry-Frye.

As expected, Denver’s one of the best teams in the league and is currently second in the West. Jokic is the Nuggets’ leading scorer at 20.8 points and Michael Porter Jr. (18) and Jamal Murray (16.2) are behind him. Denver was without Murray for the entirety of the 2021-22 season and Porter played in only nine games last season. Now that they’re both back, the Nuggets could find themselves back in the conference finals.

New York’s defense has been abysmal, so unless a miracle happens, the Knicks aren’t going to have an answer for Jokic, Porter, or Murray. Mitchell Robinson still hasn’t been cleared for contact, so he’ll likely be out for this game, meaning that Jokic should be able to do whatever he wants down low.

Based on how the Knicks have looked as of late, this game could get out of hand quickly.

Denver 130, New York 114

3: Knicks at Warriors

Ironically enough, New York could steal a win at Chase Center with Golden State sitting towards the bottom of the pile in the West. But with the Knicks being unable to find a way to guard the perimeter, this could be a game where Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole put on a show.

Golden State’s defensive rating of 115.1 is the fourth-worst in the league and the Warriors have gotten crushed in the midrange, which is an area where Jalen Brunson is shooting 53% from. He could end up having a big night against the defending champions, but that might not be enough to combat Golden State’s offensive firepower.

Still, this is a game to watch as the Warriors have dropped games against the Pistons and the Magic, two teams that the Knicks have beaten. If Golden State gets hot from deep though, there’s no chance that New York will be able to pull this one off. With that being said, this could be a close game, but ultimately, the Warriors should escape with the win.

Golden State 123, New York 118

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