New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pre-Game News and Notes April 20

Friday April 20^th 7:30 P.M. ET
New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Knicks awoke tonight to the news that they are now definitely playoff bound.  With the loss suffered by the Milwaukee Bucks last night to the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks locked up a playoff spot for the second consecutive year.  The Knicks cannot take it easy now, as they need wins if they want to win the division or move up the standings.  The Knicks will finish up the regular season by traveling to Atlanta for a game Sunday then finishing up with two home games against the Clippers and Bobcats next week. 

-Team News and Notes

With Amar’e Stoudemire returning to the lineup tonight, moves and decisions had to be made.  Stoudemire will be inserted into the starting lineup from the start, which means someone has to go back to the bench.  Mike Woodson has decided that man will be Landry Fields, leaving Iman Shumpert in the starting lineup along with Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler.  Fields can still be in for big minutes because Davis and Stoudemire will be on minute restrictions to start. 

The Knicks also made some front office decisions today.  Jared Jeffries is expected to sit out the remainder of the regular season in hopes that his knee will heal in time for the playoffs.  With this news, the Knicks made a roster move, signing Dan Gadzuric.  Gadzuric will add a big body and depth to the Knicks for the playoffs and end of the season.  He is very active around the basket and is very aggressive on the boards.  This is something that the Knicks desperately need facing a potential first round match up with the Chicago Bulls. 

To make room for Gadzuric, the Knicks waived Bill Walker.  Walker was just returning from left elbow surgery and had not been receiving minutes upon his return. 

-Get off to a quick start

Much like Wednesday night when the Knicks jumped out to an early 21 point lead over the Nets and cruised to a win, doing the same tonight would be beneficial.  If they jump out to an early start they can ease their way to victory in a game which is expected to be lopsided in favor of the Knicks.  Getting some rest for players like Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler would also be very beneficial for the playoff stretch.

-Maintain Rhythm

The Knicks have been in a nice groove on the offensive end running the offense through Carmelo Anthony.  They must figure out a way to continue this with Amar’e Stoudemire returning to the lineup.  The Knicks at times struggle with both Anthony and Stoudemire on the court together, looking confused and lacking an idea of how to score.  They have a total of four games to start getting it together before the playoffs start. 

-Continued Bench Production

With the playoff now a lock, bench production will become even that more crucial.  The presence of the bench will be very important if the Knicks want to make some noise during the post season.  The Knicks have compiled a very deep bench with the possibility to cause problems for opposing teams.  Specialists like Steve Novak and Jared Jeffries and instant offense from J.R. Smith are all important when it comes to playoff time.  Mike Woodson will be looking to tighten his rotation and really set up playing time and situations for players in these last four games.  

New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets Post Game Recap April 18

Final Score: New York Knicks 104 New Jersey Nets 95

The Knicks leave New Jersey for the last time with fond memories.  The Knicks jumped out to an early 21 point lead and never looked back cruising to the easy victory in their last match up with the Nets before they move to Brooklyn.  The win kept the Knicks lead over the Philadelphia 76ers for 7^th place in the Eastern Conference at a game and gained another game on the Milwaukee Bucks who sit 3 ½ games behind the Knicks with 4 to play.  The Knicks continued their spirited play under Mike Woodson totally turning around their season.   They have gone from six games under .500 on March 14^th when he was hired to a season-high four games over .500, running their record to 15-5 under Woodson.

-Carmelo Stays Hot

Carmelo Anthony has been lights out basketball for a couple weeks now, and he continued it Wednesday night.  It took Anthony no time to get going against the Nets, scoring 21 points in the 1^st quarter alone.  The 21 points was only one less than the whole Nets team was able to muster for the quarter.  His first quarter included 4 three pointers and his first six shots of the game.  He made 5-7 from the 3 point line scoring from anywhere and everywhere.  Anthony has scored at least 30 points in five straight games. 

-Giving Anthony Some Help

Tyson Chandler had yet another efficient game for the Knicks tonight.  He had another double-double, going for 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Chandler did most of his damage from the foul line, going 8-11 from the line and 5-7 from the field. 

J.R. Smith also had a nice game off the bench, scoring 15 points and adding eight rebounds of his own.  He struggled from the field, going 6-16, but did not let that effect the rest of his game.  Smith has struggled from the field at times this season, but still helps the team in other ways.  For example, tonight he had the 8 rebounds, good for 2^nd most on the team.  Earlier in the month he set a career high with 9 assists in a win over the Magic.  One consistent for Smith though is that he will give effort on the defensive end.  Even when he’s struggling on offense, the defensive pressure will also be given.

-Unable to fully avoid Complacency

The Knicks were able to come out strong and set the tone early in the Nets, evident by the 21 point lead they built.  They were able to control the game throughout the whole first half, but once the 2^nd half started they seemed to lose their edge.

The Knicks made only one field goal through the first 7:49 of the third quarter.  This enabled the Nets to get back into it, cutting the Knick lead down to five with 2:31 left in the quarter.  Overall, the Knicks shot a poor 4-17 from the field and was outscored by the Nets 24-14. 

Play coming out of the half is something the Knicks have to figure out and address with the season coming to an end and the playoffs right around the corner.  The 3^rd quarter has been the Achilles heel for the Knicks all season, but has been less problematic since Mike Woodson took over as head coach.  The Knicks start games off strong and should try doing the same things when coming out to start the 2^nd half.

The next game for the Knicks will be Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland.  If all goes well Thursday, Amar’e Stoudemire is expected to make his return to the lineup and start.  Stoudemire has missed the last 13 games for the Knicks, who have gone 9-4 in his absence.  

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 15

Sunday April 15th 1:00 P.M. ET 
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks continue their three game home stand Sunday afternoon in a matinee game against the Miami Heat and their big 3. The Knicks are coming off an easy victory over the Washington Wizards, which improved their record to 31-28. The Knicks currently hold a 2 ½ game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoff race and sit in 7th place holding the tiebreaker over the Philadelphia 76ers. They also sit 3 games behind the Orlando Magic for 6th place in the Eastern Conference and 3 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics for the Atlantic Division crown. 

-Defensive Intensity 

Since Mike Woodson has taken over as the Knicks head coach, the team has gone 13-4 and been a top defensive team. They have been holding opponents to 88.8 points per game, ranking 2nd in the NBA. This is going to be key in the game against the Heat. The Heat sport the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference, but struggle against some of the top defensive teams in the NBA. This month alone the Heat have lost to the Grizzlies, Bulls, and Celtics twice, teams who all sport top rated defenses. The Knicks are looking to add their names to that list by using the same tactics. 

-Small Ball Match-ups 

With the injuries the Knicks are suffering through, they have been using a smaller lineup with Carmelo Anthony at the Power Forward position with Iman Shumpert moving into the lineup. Some teams can over power the Knicks because of the smaller lineup, but the Heat are actually one team the Knicks match up with well. You could even argue the Knicks hold the edge in the matchups depending on how the Heat play it. 

The Knicks have had a potent offense with Anthony playing the 4. There is no Power Forward in the NBA who can contain Anthony on the offensive end, giving the Knicks a huge edge. You would think the Knicks would have the same problem, but Anthony can hold his own on the defensive end. Also, throwing the ball into the post can throw teams off and change their game plans all together. 

Luckily for the Knicks, the Heat do not have dominant big men to worry about. Instead, the Heat are the ones who will have all the problems to answer. Anthony and Lebron James are expected to be matched up for most of the game with Dwayne Wade and Iman Shumpert squaring off as well. 

Where does this leave the last member of the Heat’s big 3 you ask? They are in a quagmire of sorts with him. Does Erik Spoelstra trust Chris Bosh in handling Tyson Chandler going small against the Knicks, or does he go with a traditional lineup and just hope Bosh can slow down Carmelo Anthony and leave bangers Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony to deal with Chandler? It will be an interesting development to keep an eye on. Game pace and tempo will be what dictates the moves being made. 

Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 13

Friday April 13, 2012 7:30 P.M. ET 
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks were able to breathe a sigh of relief after Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. They enter tonight 2 games ahead of the Bucks with 8 games remaining in the regular season. Washington is the first game of a 3 game home stand for the Knicks, who currently sport a 30-28 record, sitting a game behind the Philadelphia 76ers for 7th place in the Eastern Conference and controlling their own destiny. After these games at home, the Knicks return to the road for a 3 game trip. 

-Avoid a Letdown 

Tonight is a prototypical trap game for the Knicks. After not only having that huge win Wednesday night, the Knicks remaining home stand features the Miami Heat on Sunday and the Boston Celtics right after that. All complacency needs to be left at the door when the players and staff enter the building. They can not afford to come out flat against this Wizard team because they are looking ahead on the schedule and past today. Bound for the lottery, the Wizards are out to just spoil their opponents plans from here on out. Losing tonight would ruin all the momentum and good feelings built from the victory Wednesday. 

-Guard Play 

The Knicks have been struggling to get consistent guard play from their backcourt since Jeremy Lin went down with an injury. Iman Shumpert is still a rookie and has been inconsistent throughout the season on the offensive end but delivering on defense every night. The other problem is Baron Davis, who has been battling through injuries for the Knicks but is visible being affected by them. Tonight does not get any easier for the Knicks as they have to figure out a way to slow down dynamo John Wall. 

Wall is lightning quick and is a one man fast break. He can get up and down the court with the best of them. This has to be something the Knicks need to contain as the Wizards go as Wall does. 

The Knicks were unable to slow down the Milwaukee Bucks backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis as a whole, but whoever was being guarded by Shumpert was held in check. Watch for Shumpert to shadow Wall almost all night just as he did to Derrick Rose on Easter Sunday. 

-Get the Early Lead 

It would be beneficial for the Knicks to come out strong tonight and build a big early lead. The earlier they are able to put away the Wizards the better it will be. The Knicks have a tough game Sunday afternoon against the Miami Heat and could use all the rest they can get. 

Carmelo Anthony has been carrying the team for the last 9 games since Amar’e Stoudemire and Lin went down with injuries, averaging 30 points per game on 50% shooting. How much longer will he be able to play at such a high level with a compressed schedule and no consistent sidekick? Multiple times Anthony could be seen grabbing at his right hand, his shooting hand, as the Bucks played him very physical. He could use all the rest he can get. 

Tyson Chandler is another person the Knicks would not mind sitting out a portion of the game tonight if the game is in hand. Chandler has been dealing with a number of injuries all season including his wrist, shoulder and groin. Chandler is the heart and soul of the Knicks defense, meaning a loss of him would be devastating for the Knicks. As Carmelo Anthony sets the offensive tone, Chandler does the same on defense. 

Without either of those players the Knicks would struggle so any rest they can get for those two would be beneficial. 

New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Post Game Recap April 11

Final Score: New York Knicks 111 Milwaukee Bucks 107 

Tonight was a game the Knicks desperately needed and they responded as so. The Knicks can breathe a slight sigh of a relief as they salvaged the season series against the Bucks and expanded their lead to 2 games over them for 8th place in the Eastern Conference with 8 games remaining in the regular season. The Knicks got off to a hot start and had to fight off a game Bucks squad the rest of the evening. It was a great team effort tonight, but they can not take it easy until that playoff spot is locked up and secure. 

-Carmelo Being Carmelo 

Carmelo Anthony again came up big for the Knicks, continuing his hot April. He scored 32 points tonight to pace the Knicks on the offensive end but also impacted the game in other aspects. Anthony finished the game with 10 rebounds and continued to show great effort on the defensive end. When your superstar is willing to play defense and give it his all, it sets the tone for the rest of the team. It is one thing to say how you would like to play; it is another thing to show it. Tonight, Anthony showed it and led his team in a must win game. 

-Resiliency from J.R. Smith 

J.R. Smith had a tough first half, struggling from the field and making a number of bone-headed plays on defense. But he did not let that affect him and came up biggest when the Knicks needed him. Smith knocked down what would turn out to be the game winning shot with 1:04 left in the 4th quarter, knocking down a 3 pointer as the man defending him went underneath a screen. 

It was quite an ending for Smith who has struggled in Milwaukee throughout his career, evident by the career 35.4% shooting percentage in the Bradley Center entering tonight. It looked as if tonight would be another one of those nights, as the first half started with a thud. Smith was single handily responsible for running the Knicks offense into the ground, stalling all momentum the team had built. This resulted in 1-4 shooting in the half, 2 bad fouls and a -16 rating as the Knicks blew a 14 point lead. 

Credit will deservedly be given to Smith for his heroics, but credit also has to be given to the coaching staff and Mike Woodson. Seeing a player struggle like Smith was you would understand the coaching staff giving up on him and putting him on the bench for the remainder of the game. But they showed confidence in Smith and Smith repaid them in as well a fashion as possible. 

-Strong Second Scorer 

The Knicks need to find a consistent second scorer behind Carmelo Anthony. Amar’e Stoudemire is improving, but is still considered to be some time away and Jeremy Lin is not expected to return unless the Knicks make a deep playoff run. 

Tonight, the scoring came from an unlikely source in Tyson Chandler. In addition to the 11 rebounds Chandler had and countless shots he changed, he scored 19 points on the night. It was an impressive 19 points from Chandler as he scored at least two times creating his own shot, and was perfect in the game from anywhere on the court (6-6 FG and 7-7 FT). It would be nice for Tyson Chandler to provide that offense on a nightly basis, but he is much more important to the Knicks on the defensive end of the court. 

-Controlled the Paint, not the Perimeter 

The Knicks were able to keep the Bucks off the glass pretty well tonight, as the actually held a slight rebounding edge over the Bucks in the game, out rebounding them 42-39. The Knicks were also able to limit the Bucks second chance opportunities and outscored the Bucks 50-46 in the paint. It was a good performance for the Knicks to build on in the paint, but the perimeter defense was a disaster. 

After holding Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis to 8-36 shooting for a combined 19 points and 9 assists, the Bucks backcourt exploded in the game tonight. Jennings and Ellis were as explosive as ever since becoming a tandem tonight. They combined for 24-45 from the field, scoring from everywhere on the court. They combined for 57 points and 17 assists this time around, running circles around the Knicks defense. They were able to take advantage of the switching that the Knicks rely so heavily on while playing defense and were able to take advantage by scoring themselves and getting their teammates involved. The Knicks will need to step up their defensive pressure not only to make the playoffs but if they believe they can actually accomplish something if they make it that far. 

The next game for the Knicks is Friday night as they return home to face the Washington Wizards. The game starts at 7:30 P.M. ET. 

New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pre-Game News and Notes April 11

Wednesday April 11, 2012 8:00 P.M. ET 
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks 

The Knicks are right back at it tonight in what is their most important game of the season to date. The Bucks trail the Knicks by 1 game in the Eastern Conference playoff race and tonight will go a long way in deciding who actually will make the playoffs. The Bucks won 2 of the first 3 meetings between the teams this season, so this is as much of a must win regular season game as the Knicks will have all year. The schedule only gets more brutal after tonight as the Knicks have to play the Heat and Celtics in their next two games. As if they didn’t have enough pressure on them already, knowing the remaining schedule should add even more. 

-Who Steps up Tonight? 

The Knicks need someone to step up next to Carmelo Anthony. You know what you are going to get from Anthony, but there needs to be another option next to him for the Knicks to succeed. It is always tougher to win on the road, so taking some of the pressure off Anthony will be something the Knicks have to do if they want to come away with what will be a tough victory in a playoff atmosphere. 

The team defense has been a total team effort; they now just have to pull it together on offense. Fans get mesmerized watching Anthony play offense, and at times so do his teammates. "The guys that we need to be aggressive on the offensive end and take those shots, we need them to do that," he said after the Bulls game. "We were passing up open shots out there that guys should have taken. We can't pass that up.” 

-Can Knicks Control the Boards? 

The Bucks are a very physical team even playing a smaller lineup. The Knicks will need to stay poised in what will be a very hostile environment because they have to assume the Bucks will come out firing on all cylinders wanting to get into the playoffs. The Knicks need to show they want to be there also. 

Much like the Bulls team the Knicks played last night, the Bucks are very good on the offensive glass and scoring on second opportunities (the Bucks average 12.5 and 14.9, both ranked 5th in the league). Amar’e Stoudemire was out in the last match up as well, so the Knicks are capable of controlling the glass without their big man. They will be without him once again tonight and a team effort will be needed to pick up the slack. Some playing time for Josh Harrellson would go along way in cleaning the glass for the Knicks. 

-Can the Backcourt Keep Up? 

The Bucks had always lacked an explosive scorer to go along with Brandon Jennings. That is no longer a problem as they traded for scoring dynamo Monta Ellis at the trade deadline. It was hard enough for the Knicks to stop Brandon Jennings and now they have to figure out how to stop Monta Ellis as well. 

Iman Shumpert will play a big role in containing both Jennings and Ellis. Look for J.R. Smith and Jared Jeffries to also get opportunities in trying to stop the dynamic Bucks backcourt. 

-Close out Quarters 

The Knicks will need to do their best in ending quarters with strong finishes. They are successful when they are able to do so. This also coincides with not having long stretches in which they struggle to score. If the Knicks go on prolonged droughts of scoring like last night against the Bulls, it will be a struggle. They can not afford to fall down big in the game tonight like they did last night. 

One reason they have not been successful at the end of quarters is because the bench has not been playing up to par recently. Steve Novak is on the second longest drought of his career, missing his last 9 shot attempts, going 2 straight games without a 3 pointer. The Knicks rely on his 3 point shooting to give them a spark, and it has been missing recently. J.R. Smith also needs to find his shot more consistently. He has decent scoring outputs, but it’s because of the high volume of shots he takes. Efficient scoring for Smith would go a long way for the Knicks because he is capable of being that second option to Carmelo Anthony. 

New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Post Game Recap April 10

Final Score: New York Knicks 86 Chicago Bulls 98 

Tonight the Knicks say first hand that the Bulls are tough even without reigning MVP Derrick Rose in the lineup. Rose sat out tonight’s game with a right ankle injury, and quite truthfully the Bulls did not need him. Chicago still played their way of basketball, tough on the defensive end and grind it out, slow pace on the offensive end. The loss tonight was a devastating one for the Knicks, who fall to 29-28 and back into 8th place in the Eastern Conference. They now only have a 1 game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks going into their match up Wednesday night. 

-Where’s the Windex at? 

The Knicks got hammered on the boards tonight by the Bulls to the tune of being out rebounded 51-33. The difference on the offensive glass was even more nauseating for Knicks fans, as the Bulls held an 18-5 edge there. 

The domination for Bulls did not finish there, as they easily out scored the Knicks 25-5 on second chance points and 40-28 in the paint. 

When Kyle Korver is rebounding well against you it just is not your night. The Knicks lacked a rebounding presence tonight from anyone not named Tyson Chandler. It is one aspect of the game the Knicks will need to clean up down the end of the season. We know they are undersized and playing through injuries, there just has to be a more concentrated effort on the glass. When the Knicks are able to control the paint and pace, the results are much more positive than tonight. 

-Ice Cold Offense 

At times throughout the games, the Knicks look like a well oiled machine. Their offense hums like the engine of a sports car and they look unbeatable. They are working together as a unit and are cohesive. Then there are times where they are as cold as the arctic from the field. Tonight had more arctic than sports car. 

The Knicks suffered through many of these cold spells tonight. To start the game they went 0-6 from the field and to start the 2nd quarter they missed 10 of their first 11 shot attempts. The bad start in the 2nd quarter led to the Bulls getting the lead back and holding onto it for the remainder of the evening. The 3rd quarter did not go much better, as the Knicks went on a nearly 8 minute span of scoring only 2 baskets. The Bulls do have a very good defense, but the Knicks certainly helped them look the part tonight. 

-Batman Needs a Sidekick 

Carmelo Anthony has done everything and more on the offensive end since injuries purged the Knicks roster. He scored another 29 points tonight, going 11-19 from the field. It was Melo or bust for the Knicks tonight, and they busted. Anthony did everything he could but could not beat the Bulls for 2 consecutive games by himself. Finding that consistent scorer behind Anthony has been a struggle for the Knicks since Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin went down with injuries. There are people who say the Knicks are better off with only one of the superstars, but anyone who seriously believes that is an idiot. The Knicks are much better off with their full allotment of players compared to how they are now. 

-Bench Struggling 

Is this the real Knicks bench, or just an aberration from how they had been playing in the past weeks? It has been slightly overlooked because of how well Carmelo Anthony has been playing, but it is something to keep an eye on. With all the injuries, some players roles have been changed but the two key players off the bench, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith have hit a lull in their play. 

Novak has spoiled us with his shooting prowess since being inserted into the lineup, but has hit a cold spell. He has not hit a 3 pointer in the last 2 games. The shots just are not falling for him because he is still getting open looks, he just can’t get them to go through the basket. 

As for J.R. Smith, his numbers look good but taking a deeper look will show you the truth. He is the definition of a streak shooter, and it shows when you take that deeper look. He has good scoring totals for a player off the bench, but does 15 points really sound that good when it is on 14 shot attempts? If J.R. Smith is able to become a more efficient scorer it will not only help the Knicks but help himself in the long run. 

The Knicks get back at it tomorrow night with a quick turnaround. They will be playing in Milwaukee against the Bucks in what could be the Knicks most important game of the season. The game starts at 8:00 P.M. ET on ESPN. 

New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Pre-Game News and Notes April 10

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 9:30 P.M. ET 
New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls 

After an excitement filled thrilling game Sunday afternoon, the Knicks and Bulls are back at it to finish their home and home series tonight in Chicago. The Knicks have been rekindling rivalries with teams over the last 2 seasons, and it’s safe to say the Bulls are one of those teams. The Knicks currently sit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the 76ers and a game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. Tonight will be the 4th and final meeting between the Bulls and Knicks for the regular season, but could match up in the first round of the playoffs if everything falls into place. 

-Injuries Concerns 

The injury front for the Knicks has gotten murkier since Sunday. Tyson Chandler was seen at points with heavy wrapping of ice on his elbow, something that will be monitored since he is also dealing with wrist and groin injuries. Jared Jeffries returned Sunday for the Knicks and did not report any negatives, so he will be a go for tonight. 

The Bulls on the other hand could be without Derrick Rose tonight. He was seen in a walking boot last night, but no longer was wearing it today. Rose did not participate in the morning shoot around with his teammates and is appearing unlikely to play tonight. Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau says Rose will be a game-time decision. The Knicks would be lucky to have Rose not play, but the Bulls are very deep and are 15-7 this season without Rose. 

-Attack the Basket 

The Knicks heavily relied on jump shots in Sunday’s meeting with the Bulls. It worked in the 1st quarter when the Knicks were able to open up a 27-6 lead. After that, the shooting became less and less efficient, scoring less points every quarter after that allowing the Bulls to get back into the game and take the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. It would be beneficial for the Knicks to attack the basket more and get to the foul line. 

The Knicks are an above average free throw shooting team, and have players capable of getting to the line at will. If they are able to put pressure on the Bulls front line it will go a long way. Attacking the basket will also allow the Knicks to open up the Bulls defense. If they are attacking the basket with efficiency, the wings and guards of the Bulls are going to have to come off their assignments opening up open jumpers instead of contested ones. 

-Fields Disappearance Act 

Early in games recently Landry Fields has made impacts on the game. But once the second half comes around, Fields turns into a different player. Woodson does like playing J.R. Smith in favor of Fields because he can help run the Point, but the real reason is because of the liability Fields is shooting the ball. 
In the 2nd half the defense picks up and timely baskets are a must, something Fields has struggled with. Also when the game is coming down the stretch, Fields hurts the team at the free throw line, shooting a putrid 57% from the foul line. If Fields can improve his jump shooting he will see more time on the court. Until then he will continue to start games but watch from the bench at the end of them. 

-Carmelo Anthony’s Heroics 

Carmelo Anthony has done exactly what he said he would when Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin went down with injuries, which is carry the team. Anthony has lived up to the billing knocking down countless number of clutch shots and scoring a large portion of the Knicks points. He has also become more engaged on the defensive end, showing effort he had not shown prior while playing for the Knicks. While it is a sight to see for fans, they also have to wonder how long can this keep up? 

Anthony is more than willing to shoulder the offensive load, but he will need a sidekick to score along with him. Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith right now seem the most capable with Tyson Chandler mixed in, but they have to do it on a more consistent basis. 

Smith has averaged 13 points in his last 5 games, but is taking almost 6 3 pointers and 14 shots a game in that period. Smith is the definition of a streak shooter, but needs to find a way to be more consistent. It would go a long way for him and the Knicks if he could. 

As for Shumpert, he has improved upon his shooting after working with Allan Houston recently on his release. Shumpert has all the talent in the world; he just needs to harness it. His shot selection is suspect right now, and will improve with more time playing since he still is a rookie. He had back to back 25 point games against Atlanta and Orlando a few weeks back, but other than that has been inconsistent. 

Consistency is key not only for Shumpert and Smith, but the whole Knicks team. It will take more than one person to get this team into the playoffs and to succeed. 

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 8

Sunday, April 8, 2012 1:00 P.M. ET 
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks continue their tough stretch of games this afternoon, in the first game of a home and home series against the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks are coming off another blow-out win of the Orlando Magic on Thursday night and look to continue their hot play of late. This is the 3rd meeting of the season between the Knicks and Bulls, with the Bulls taking the first 2 games. Each of the first 2 games was close, coming right down to the end. 

-Injury Updates 

This afternoon, both the Knicks and Bulls are expected to have people return to their lineups. The Bulls are expecting MVP Derrick Rose to return this afternoon from his 12 game hiatus because of a strained groin. It could not have been worse timing for the Knicks, but they have some players of their own returning that should help the cause. Jared Jeffries is expected to play on Sunday, giving the Knicks another defender to throw at Derrick Rose. Bill Walker is also expected to see his role expand, as he received only 16 seconds of token garbage time against the Magic on Thursday. 

-Contain Derrick Rose 

The Knicks have struggled all season containing the opposing teams’ guards, more specifically the Point Guard. Derrick Rose has been no exception, going for 32 points in each game. It was not the easiest 32 points in his career, but 32 points is still 32 points and the Knicks have to find a way to better contain him. With Iman Shumpert now in the starting lineup, the defensive assignments will be something to watch throughout the game. The emergence of J.R. Smith off the bench and the return of Jared Jeffries gives the Knicks plenty of capable defenders to throw at Rose throughout the game. 

-Control the Paint 

With Amar’e Stoudemire being out, the Knicks have gone with a small starting lineup. It is something that works against certain teams like the Magic, Bucks, and Cavaliers who do not employ the most conventional lineups such as the Knicks. But the Bulls play bruising Power Forward Carlos Boozer and high energy Center Joakim Noah. The Knicks will have their hands full throughout the game with those two, and will need a collective effort from everyone in controlling the paint. Again, the return of Jared Jeffries can not be overstated because this is yet another area in which his return will be a great help in. The Bulls are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, dominating the Knicks on the glass in the last meeting between the two teams which ultimately led to the Knicks demise. 

-Bench Play 

The Bulls bench has gotten some great experience because of injuries throughout the season to the starting lineup. They have more than serviceable big man Taj Gibson, sharp shooter Kyle Korver, and battle tested Ronnie Brewer. The Knicks bench will have to bring energy and toughness tonight to match-up with the Bulls tonight. Look for J.R. Smith and Steve Novak to come out firing to contend with the lack of size the Knicks have in the middle. 

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic Post Game Recap April 5

Final Score: New York Knicks 96 Orlando Magic 80 

The Knicks, at least for one night, learned their lesson after Tuesday night’s meltdown against the Pacers. Again tonight the Knicks held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter; just tonight they were able to hold it down, beating a dysfunctional Magic squad by 16 tonight. The Knicks only added to the problems in Orlando with the beat down they gave the Magic tonight. They increased their lead to 1 ½ games over the idle Milwaukee Bucks and improved to 4-2 without Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire. They have also won 10 of 14 games under Mike Woodson and have beaten the Magic in 2 consecutive meetings. 

-J.R. Smith responding to Coach Woodson 

Tuesday night could not have ended in worse fashion for J.R. Smith, who was ejected after tossing Leandro Barbosa with 4 seconds remaining. Mike Woodson took it upon himself to give Smith a talking to, reminding him that he needs to remain professional on the court even through the tough times. 

Smith responded very positively tonight, scoring 15 points to go along with a career high 9 assists. He also shot 3-4 from behind the 3 point line, giving the Knicks the offensive punch they sorely need to go along with Carmelo Anthony, who finished the 19 points and resting the whole 4th quarter. 

-Good Point Guard Play 

The Knicks got great play from their Point Guards tonight, which is vital to their success. Baron Davis had a great floor game, scoring 5 points to go along with 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Also very important is that Davis got an extended rest tonight, playing only 19 minutes with the Knicks having such a big lead. 

With Davis getting to sit so long, that in turn means someone else stepped for the Knicks. Tonight that guy was Toney Douglas who had his best game in what seems like forever. Douglas scored 15 points off the bench for the Knicks, adding 6 assists and 5 rebounds. It was a great coming out party for Douglas as the Knicks are going to need him to step up behind Davis with the injury to Jeremy Lin. Douglas showed great confidence tonight, something he had been lacking and ran the team well when on the court for Davis. 

-Outstanding Defensive Effort 

The Knicks dominated the Magic last week because they were able to control the paint containing Dwight Howard and limiting the Magic’s 3 point shooting. That again was the winning formula tonight. The Knicks out rebounded the Magic 41-35 and were able to contain the 3 point shooting of the Magic. 

Tyson Chandler dominated Howard, holding him without a point until the final seconds of the 3rd quarter. Howard also was held to 8 rebounds and forced into 5 turnovers. Chandler being able to guard Howard 1-on-1 enabled the rest of the Knicks to stay home on their assignments, forcing the Magic into tough contested jump shots. The results were 37.5% from the 3 point line, 41% shooting overall and a total of 80 points. 

The Knicks will get a much needed rest, not having another game until Sunday against the Chicago Bulls at 1:00 P.M. ET at the Garden. It is the first of a home and home series, which will conclude the following Tuesday in Chicago. 

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic Pre-Game News and Notes April 5

Thursday, April 5th 7:00 P.M. ET 
New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic 

The Knicks look to bounce back tonight against a banged up Orlando Magic team after a disappointing loss on Tuesday against the Pacers. At 27-27 the Knicks are only 1 game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for 8th place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks will need to forget about what happened in the 4th quarter Tuesday and just concentrate on the Magic tonight. This is the start of very important games in the next week for the Knicks, who after tonight play a home and home series with the Chicago Bulls and play the Milwaukee Bucks next Wednesday. The Knicks have struggled on the road throughout the season, but that has not deterred them much recently, having a record of 7-3 in their last 10 games. 

-Injury Updates 

For what seems like the first time all season, the Knicks will play against a team with their own injury problems mounting. The Knicks will again be without key pieces Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire for a few weeks, but Jared Jeffries could play as soon as this weekend. The Magic have their own problems, as Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are both listed as questionable for tonight. (Update, Dwight Howard is expected to play against the Knicks tonight.) Doubtful for the Magic is starting Power Forward Ryan Anderson. If he is indeed unable to go, look for Glen “Big Baby” Davis to replace him in the starting lineup. 

-Control the Paint 

Last week in the man-handling of the Magic, the Knicks were able to control the paint and contain Dwight Howard. They will have to do so again tonight if they want to come out victorious. With Davis potentially starting for Anderson, the Knicks will have their hands full in the paint. Thus far this season the Knicks have been able to contain Howard because Tyson Chandler is able to guard him for stretches of the game 1-on-1, enabling the Knicks to stay home on the 3 point shooters of the Magic. 

-Contest the 3 point Shots 

The Magic lead the NBA in 3 pointers made and attempted. The Knicks will have to up on their rotations and keep their heads on a swivel to keep up with the Magic’s ball movement. The Knicks must race out and contest on the perimeter tonight if they want to hang with the Magic. Forcing the Magic into deep contested shots should enable the Knicks to get out in the open court and run on a Magic team that lacks explosiveness and athleticism for the most part. 

-Keep up the Pressure 

When the Knicks are able to get out to an early lead they are enable to force their will upon opponents. They play a much more ferocious defense, flying around causing turnovers and steals, getting teams out of their rhythm. Much like last week, the Knicks must capture the lead and maintain the pressure. They seemed to let up off the gas Tuesday against the Pacers and before they knew it they had lost their lead and the game. 

-Take Advantage of the Mismatch 

The Knicks have been employing a small lineup since Amar’e Stoudemire got hurt, moving Carmelo Anthony to the 4 and Landry Fields to the 3 with Iman Shumpert being inserted into the starting lineup. 

This is both a blessing and a curse for the Knicks at times. It works in their favor because no Power Forward in the NBA can keep up with Anthony on the offensive end. The Knicks need to go to Anthony early and often and let him go to work on Glen Davis or Ryan Anderson whoever is starting. He has been playing outstanding the last few games on offense, which only makes it easier for the rest of his teammates. 

The only negative is that the Knicks then have problem on defense, but Anthony has been more than willing to show up on that end of the court also. He has been battling against bigger stronger opponents, sometimes being outmatched, but more than making up for it on the offensive end. 

Another positive is that the small lineup of the Knicks actually gets teams out of their game plan. Tuesday the Pacers were force feeding the post, going down low on 8 of their first 10 possessions, slowing down the game and not playing how they are used to. This caused the Pacers to get out of sync, and the Knicks took advantage for the first 3 quarters. 

Orlando Magics vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap March 28

Final Score: Orlando Magic 86 New York Knicks 108 

The Knicks have been great under Mike Woodson since he was named interim head coach, but nothing like tonight against a team in the Orlando Magic many consider an NBA title contender. The Knicks blew the Magic out of the water pushing their record under Woodson to 8-1 and also lengthening their lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for 8th place in the Eastern Conference to 2 ½ games. The Knicks also are over .500 now with a 26-25 record. What makes this win even more impressive is that they were able to do it without 2 of their starters in Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin and without defensive stalwart Jared Jeffries. 

-Defense, Defense, Defense 

After a first quarter in which the Knicks allowed the Magic to score 29 points, led by 11 from Jameer Nelson, the Knicks put the locks on the Magic. Throughout the last 3 quarters of the game, the Knicks held the Magic to only 57 points, going on a 21-0 run at one point during the 3rd quarter, a quarter in which the Knicks have struggled mightily in throughout the season. The Knicks were able to neutralize the Magic’s 3 point shooting, holding them to 9-26 (it would have been worse if not for a let down at the end of the 3rd quarter into the 4th when the Knicks had a 39 point lead.). Led by Tyson Chandler, the Knicks were also able to effectively shut down Dwight Howard, who was held to only 12 points and 5 rebounds. The rotations were on point, and the Knicks were able to hound the Magic all night leading to a huge victory. 

-Ball Control 

Entering the game tonight, the Knicks were averaging 20 turnovers a game in their last 3 contests. Tonight was a different story, as the Knicks only committed 10 turnovers and were able to dish out 24 assists. The ball movement was impeccable, precise and crisp, leading to numerous open jump shots for everyone on the team. Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis led the team with 6 assists each. 

-Domination of the Paint 

Against the Orland Magic controlling the paint is no easy task with Dwight Howard around, but that is exactly what the Knicks were able to do tonight. The Knicks controlled the boards to the tune of a 49-34 out-rebounding performance. They also outscored the Magic in the paint 42-30, enabling them to control the game from all facets. 

-Picking up the Slack 

With so many injuries ravaging the team, the Knicks were looking for people to step up, and that is exactly what happened. Carmelo Anthony is going to be relied upon to handle a large portion of the offensive load without Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin, and for a second straight game he did not disappoint. Anthony finished with a very efficient 25 points on 9-15 shooting, also adding in 6 assists and 5 rebounds. He seems to finally be finding his rhythm, something he had said he needed to do after the loss in Toronto last week. Anthony was scoring from all over the court, but did the most damage from the post. 

Anthony had help tonight in picking up the slack in the form of Iman Shumpert, who had a career high 25 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists, playing quite possibly his best game of his short lived NBA career. He brought the normal intense defense that he is known for as well as a great game on the offensive end. Shumpert has been working with Allan Houston on his jump shot coming off screens, and it is evident as he is showing much more confidence in his jumper, as he had another 4 3 pointers tonight against the Magic. 

-Fantastic Bench Play 

The bench once again was a strong point for the Knicks, led by Steve Novak and J.R. Smith. Novak had 16 points and added another 4 3 pointers to his season total, and Smith wasn’t far behind with 12 of his own. Josh Harrellson is still looking to get back to his shooting form, but played great defense against Dwight Howard and was able to corral 8 rebounds of his own. 

The next game for the Knicks is Friday, March 30th against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta at 7:30 P.M. ET. It will be a homecoming for Mike Woodson, as he was the coach of the Hawks for 6 seasons. 

Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes March 28

Wednesday March 28th 7:00 P.M. ET 
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks 

The Knicks look to continue their hot play and run their record with Mike Woodson to 8-1 against a tough Orlando Magic team. The Knicks currently sit 2 games ahead the Milwaukee Bucks entering a tough stretch of games. The first meeting of the season was a 102-93 victory for the Magic, with the Knicks blowing their lead in the 4th quarter. 

-Injury News and Notes 

It was found out today that Amar’e Stoudemire will be out for 2-4 weeks. He has opted for the non-surgical procedure to try and fix his bulging disk in his back. If he is able to return closer to the 2 week timeframe compared to the 4 week time-frame he should have about 9 games left in the regular season before playoffs start. 

As for tonight, Jeremy Lin will not be playing because of his sore knee. Baron Davis will again start in his place. Carmelo Anthony will be suiting up for the game tonight though and will be expected to pick up much of the slack. Expect a monster game for Anthony tonight as he will be the vocal point of the offense. 

-Contain the 3 Point Shot 

Last time the Knicks played the Magic, the Knicks struggled to defend the 3 point shot. The Magic shot 17-35 from 3 point range, led by Ryan Anderson’s 7-13. On the other side, the Knicks shot 5-20 from 3 point range. The Knicks cannot get into a 3 point shootout with the Magic or they will struggle to keep up. Along with Anderson, the Knicks have to worry about Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick shooting from deep. The Knicks have to keep up their defensive intensity they have been bringing since Woodson was hired as interim coach. 

-Bring the Kryptonite 

The Knicks will have their hands full tonight with Dwight Howard, but they were able to hold him in check in the last meeting allowing him to score only 8 points and grab 10 rebounds. Granted, the Magic lights out shooting from 3 point range played a role in Howard’s diminished stat line, but the Knicks defense needs some credit. This is where Tyson Chandler comes in handy because he is capable of guarding Howard in single coverage for stretches of the game. The Knicks will again miss Jared Jeffries versatility on the defensive end, who would be capable of guarding every player on the Magic roster. The Knicks also cannot be shy about using their fouls on Dwight Howard, who shot 2-9 from the foul line in the first season and has shot poorly from the line this season going for 48.8%. 

-Picking up The Slack 

With Amar’e Stoudemire set to miss a few weeks and Jeremy Lin nursing his own injuries, Carmelo Anthony needs to pick up the slack. Monday night he did just that, scoring 28 points, his most since Woodson was hired. The Knicks are going to count on Anthony to carry the team for the time being, which he is more than capable of doing. Anthony was brought here because he wanted to shine on Broadway; there is no better time for him to showcase those talents than now.