Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap April 25

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Final Score: Los Angeles Clippers 93 New York Knicks 99

The Knicks were able to come tonight and again protect their home court, finishing the season 22-11 at Madison Square Garden.  That is the highest winning percentage at home for the Knicks since the 2000 season.  With the win, the Knicks remained in contention for the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference, but will not be able to move up any more.  With the Magic defeating the Charlotte Bobcats, the Knicks are officially out of the running for the 6^th seed.  This locks the Knicks into a first round match-up with either the Bulls or Heat. 

-Bench Shows up Again

The Knicks bench again was on fire tonight.  J.R. Smith led the charge, leading the team with 21 points, five assists and four steals.  Smith set the tone at the end of the first quarter putting the Knicks up 24-19 behind five points from Smith.  Steve Novak then picked up right where Smith left off starting the 2^nd quarter off with two straight 3 pointers within a minute time span.  Bench production did not stop there as Landry Fields later got into the act with six points of his own.  Before you knew it, the Knicks had built a double-digit lead and were in command of the game.

The stellar play of Smith as a playmaking point guard and Novak continuing his hot shooting in the 4^th quarter really helped put away the Clippers.  Mike Woodson decided to let it roll with the bench giving the starters pretty much the whole 4^th quarter off and they did not disappoint him.  The Knicks bench finished with 43 points compared to the 20 scored by the Clippers bench.

-Two Different Halves

In the first half, the Knicks were dominant in the paint.  The Clippers scored only four points in the paint compared to 10 for the Knicks in the 1^st quarter.  The Knicks were able to limit the dynamic front court of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to only six points combined in the first half.  What was even better was the Knicks did not allow either player to a get a dunk.

The second half was a different story for the Knicks.  They allowed Griffin and Jordan easier access to the paint, leading to a combined four dunks between the two.  The game was no longer out of hand once the Knicks allowed the Clippers to get to the basket.  Again, it was mostly against the Knicks second unit, so it was a positive at the same time they did not allow the Clippers to take the lead and held on for the win.

-Stoudemire Struggles on Defense

Everyone is aware that defense is not the top priority for Amar’e Stoudemire.  At times, it even looks like it is not in his top five while on the court.  But Stoudemire has to do a better job of buying into Mike Woodson’s team first approach.  Carmelo Anthony has bought in and he is playing some of the best basketball of his career; it is time for Stoudemire to follow suit.  Stoudemire was the culprit on multiple post ups by the Clippers and was easily exploited numerous times.  This led to multiple break downs on rotations and the perimeter defense, allowing the Clippers to shoot 11-25 from downtown in the game. 

-Get Flow on Offense

The Knicks have to figure out a way to work everyone into the offense.  Tonight, at least early on, they relied too heavily on Carmelo Anthony isolation.  The Knicks barely ran any pick-and-rolls for Stoudemire or Chandler, leading to a combined one point between the two of them.  Anthony did have nine points in the quarter, but it would be nice to see more people worked in.  It should be noted though as the game went on, Anthony was finding Stoudemire and Chandler more often rolling to the basket for easy dunks and lay-ups.  

Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks Pre-Game News and Notes April 25

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 8:00 P.M. ET
Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks

The playoff picture for the Knicks should be much clearer after Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.  The Knicks have already secured a playoff spot, currently tied for 7^th with the Philadelphia 76ers for 7^th place in the Eastern Conference with two games remaining.  That can all change depending on the results of tonight’s game.

For starters, if the Magic win all talk of moving up to the 6^th seed ends.  7^th would be as high as the Knicks could be seeded.  But, if the Knicks win and the Magic lose, the Knicks stay in 7^th for the night, keeping alive the chance of moving up to 6^th place.  It would then take another Magic lose tomorrow night in addition to a Knicks win for them to complete the jump and move into 7^th place.  The only way the Knicks can fall below 7^th is if they lose and the 76ers win tonight.  Holding the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, any tie would result in the Knicks receiving the higher seed.

-Injury News and Updates

There will be restrictions on the Knicks tonight.  They are expected to play their full allotment of healthy players like any other game.  The only player not playing is Jared Jeffries, who is resting his sore knee for the playoffs.  Tyson Chandler, after missing Sunday afternoon’s game in Atlanta will be returning to the lineup and is a go tonight. 

News is not as light-hearted for the visiting Clippers.  They could be without All-Star Point Guard Chris Paul for tonight’s game.  Paul suffered a left groin strain last night in Atlanta.  Paul is considered to be a legitimate game-time decision, and is doing everything in his power to get into the lineup for the game against the Knicks. 

-Contain the High Flying Clippers

The Knicks will have their hands full tonight with high flying big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.  Both Griffin and Jordan look to roll to the basket every time down the court so they can finish with thunderous alley-oop dunks.  If Chris Paul is indeed capable of playing tonight, it will make it that much more difficult on the Knicks.  Paul is a master in the pick-and-roll game and has shown that time and time again throughout the season with the highlight plays he has been a part of with Griffin and Jordan.

-Attack, Attack, Attack

The Clippers are playing their second game in as many nights with travel from Atlanta to New York in between.  Fatigue this late in the season is usually a factor, even more so when you have to play on multiple nights in a row.  The Knicks have to come out aggressive, feeding the big horses Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire early and often to set the tone in tonight’s game.  Running the offense throughout Anthony first is the best option for the Knicks with Stoudemire and the rest of the team playing off of him.  Anthony is a capable creator when given the opportunity.

-Continue to Build Chemistry

Amar’e Stoudemire will play in his third game tonight since returning from a back injury that kept him out nearly a month.  Only one of those games though has been played with both Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler in the lineup.  The Knicks have to continue working out the wrinkles because they are a much more dangerous team when all three of them are playing up to their abilities.  They have tonight and tomorrow night in Charlotte to figure some things out.

The biggest problem for the three of them has been spacing.  At time it seems like they are playing tentatively, afraid that they might step on the others toes in a sense.  The most problems seem to come with 

Chandler and Stoudemire, as both players are best suited for the pick-and-roll game.  

The best way around this in my opinion would be to have Anthony run the pick-and-roll with both players.  Anthony is a capable passer when he wants to be and Stoudemire and Chandler are even more capable finishers at the rim. 

Another thing that would help is Stoudemire getting his jump shot down.  If he is able to knock down the elbow extended jumper the offense would open up that much more.  That would allow for Chandler to be the pick setter and Stoudemire to spot up.  Defenses will have to watch Chandler rolling to the basket because of his ability of finishing around the basket.  This will have defenses sagging off Stoudemire some, 

making for easy opportunities for everyone in the offense.

Getting both of them involved in the offense will be key; it is much harder to stop both of them compared to guarding one or the other.  Not just one player, but the team as a whole will be responsible for making that happen. 

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Post Game Recap April 22

Final Score: New York Knicks 113 Atlanta Hawks 112

The Knicks bounced back nicely from their poor performance Friday night against the Cavaliers, picking up a much needed win tonight if they will have any hope of moving up to the 6^th seed in the Eastern Conference.  The team came out more focused tonight and with more energy, matching what was a very game Hawks squad.  It will not be easy as they need to beat the Clippers and the Bobcats to finish off the season and have the Magic lose the rest of their games.  For one night, things went according to plan.  The Knicks also put a half game between themselves and the Philadelphia 76ers, whom they hold the tiebreaker against as well. 

-Getting Things Together On Offense

For at least one night, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire looked like the lethal combination they were hyped up as being when the Knicks brought Anthony on board at last season’s trade deadline.  Carmelo Anthony was lights out again, scoring 39 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  Anthony was back in attack mode after taking a backseat it seemed in Cleveland Friday taking only 13 shots.  He took 12 shots in the 1^st quarter alone tonight.  Stoudemire had a strong game as well, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.  It was nice seeing Anthony and Stoudemire working hard on the glass in the absence of Tyson Chandler, who sat tonight because of what is being called a sore knee. 

The performances of Anthony and Stoudemire tonight are significant because numbers suggest that Anthony and Stoudemire have had trouble co-existing with each other on the court, playing better when one of the two are sitting on the bench.  Another reason of this being so encouraging is the team it came against.  The Hawks have been firmly cemented in the playoffs and are no slouches on defense, ranking 5^th in the NBA in overall team defense.  It needs to be taken with a grain of salt because the Hawks have really nothing to play for the final games of the season, but they did play their full complement of players and came out trying to win the game. 

-Total Team Effort

Anthony and Stoudemire were the vocal point of the offense tonight, but the other players did not stand around and watch.  Landry Fields had one of his better games of late, finishing with 18 points on 7-8 shooting and an impressive 3-3 from 3 point range.  Fields has played so bad of late that Mike Woodson benched him in favor of Iman Shumpert when Stoudemire returned Friday night; so it was encouraging to see him bounce back.

Baron Davis made his return to the lineup tonight and looked rejuvenated.  He scored 13 points, knocking down 3-4 from 3 point range and handed out a season high 10 assists.  If the Knicks can get performances nearly as great as this from Davis on a consistent basis in the playoffs, they will be that much more dangerous. 

The bench was uncharacteristically quiet tonight, scoring only 10 points with the starters logging big minutes.  The starting group did not disappoint though, with each player scoring in double figures.

-No Chandler, No Defense

Without Tyson Chandler manning the middle tonight for the Knicks their defense was not very stellar.  Players got to the basket at will with very little resistance.  One encouraging sign though was Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire dominating the boards in place of Chandler.  Anthony and Stoudemire led the Knicks with 10 and 12 rebounds respectively, leading the Knicks to outrebound the Hawks 37-33. 

The downside though was that the Knicks allowed the Hawks to shoot 53.9% from the field and 65.2% from the 3 point line.  Luckily for them, the Hawks did not play any defense either, as the Knicks shot 54.4% from the field and a blistering 63.2% from the 3 point line.  Both teams combined to knock down an absurd 27 combined 3 pointers.

The next game for the Knicks will be Wednesday at 8:00 against the Los Angeles Clippers a.k.a Lob City at the Garden.

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks Pre-Game News and Notes April 22

Sunday April 22^nd 1:00 P.M. ET
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Knicks suffered a debilitating loss on Friday night at the hands of the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers and look to bounce back against the Hawks Sunday afternoon.  This is the 3^rd meeting of the season between the Knicks and Hawks, with each team winning on their home court in the previous match-ups.  It will be interesting to see how much energy and effort are put into the game because both teams are pretty much locked into their current spots in the playoffs with such a little amount of time left in the season.

-Playoff Picture

The Knicks now have a slim to none chance of moving up in the standings with only 2 games left after Sunday afternoon.  They no longer control their own destiny, needing the Magic and Celtics to both lose all of their remaining games in addition to the Knicks not losing for seeding to change in a positive manner.

The Knicks could conceivable move down in the standings, which may not be a bad thing. They currently hold the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference, matched up against the Miami Heat.  This brings up an interesting debate to be had.  Do the Knicks play out the season and most likely get matched up against the Heat, or do they tank games and allow the Philadelphia 76ers to move ahead of them making for a series against the Chicago Bulls?  Seeing how things go in Atlanta will be a good indicator in which direction Mike Woodson will have the Knicks heading. 

Players are confident in the team and are saying they do not care who they match up with.  Tyson Chandler is just fine with facing the Heat in the first round.  "I'm OK with it," Chandler said earlier this week. "They've beaten us, obviously, every game that we've played them. But I don't feel like we've necessarily made the adjustments to that team. That's a team that you have to make adjustments (to) and make them pay for how aggressive they are. And we haven't done that yet in any of the games that we've played. We have to be willing to, if that's our match-up, to sit down, break down tape and really focus in." 

Chandler is not alone in not caring about match-ups, as the same sentiment can be felt by Jared Jeffries.  "If we keep shooting the ball the way we are, then definitely we're one of the top teams," Jeffries said Friday afternoon on ESPN New York 1050's "Ruocco & Lundberg" show. "I think against Miami's defense, I think you have to have a team that can shoot the ball very well. The way we're shooting the ball right now from outside, I think it'll be hard for a team like Miami to show on pick-and-rolls and rotate early to get to our shooters. So I think we're definitely one of the teams that they would be concerned about." 

-Continued Work to Cohesion

The game against the Cavaliers Friday night was a disaster right from the start with the Knicks looking out of whack on the offensive end and lacking the same intensity and cohesion they have been showing in recent games on the defensive end.  One reason behind this could be the return of Amar’e Stoudemire.  The Knicks need to get him up to speed and quick.  They are a much more dangerous team with him no matter how well Carmelo Anthony played when he put the team on his back.

For Carmelo Anthony, he needs to again readjust.  The Knicks play well when the offense runs through him and he gets touches every possession.  They need to continue to do that even with the return of Stoudemire.  They were unable to do that consistently enough on Friday, as Anthony had the same amount of shot attempts in the 2^nd half as points after the 1^st quarter, which was one.  

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Post Game Recap April 20

Final Score: New York Knicks 90 Cleveland Cavaliers 98

The Knicks had a chance to take advantage of losses by teams ahead of them in the standings tonight and were unable to do so.  They came out flat and were unable to recover against a lowly Cavaliers team in Amar’e Stoudemire’s return to action after missing the past 13 games.  The Knicks will now have a difficult time overtaking the Boston Celtics or Orlando Magic to improve their playoff seeding.  A win by either team or loss by the Knicks will lock them into the 7^th seed at best. 

-Lack of Urgency

The Knicks came out flat and complacent against a lottery bound Cavaliers team after learning about their playoff spot being locked up the night before.  That was the feeling that head coach Mike Woodson took out of the game.  "I've seen this happen over the years that I've been in this league," Woodson said.

"You clinch a [playoff] spot and it's like a sigh of relief and they stop playing. And then they think that they can gear it back up. There's nothing about tonight's game that I liked at all." 

Tyson Chandler chalked up the game to players feeling fatigued and tired.  Whatever the reason behind the lackluster performance, the Knicks need to turn it around and come out ready for their next game Sunday afternoon at the Atlanta Hawks. 

-Out Hustled and Muscled

The rebounding numbers were absurd in the game tonight.  The Knicks got out rebounded 52-32, getting beat to all the loose balls by a Cavaliers team that has nothing to play for but come out with more energy than the Knicks.  The domination did not stop there for the Knicks, as they were outscored 42-28 in the paint by the Cavaliers. 

One glaring stat when looking at the final score sheet is how badly the Knicks frontcourt was outplayed.  Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony were out rebounded by the smaller and less talented Cavaliers front court of Antawn Jamison, Tristan Thompson and Anthony Parker 19-12. 

You know it was a tough night for the Knicks when your backup point guard is your leading rebounder.

-Showing Up in Short Notice

With Baron Davis being a late scratch due to the stomach flu, Mike Bibby was thrust into action on short notice.  The short notice did not seem to have a negative effect on either Bibby or his backup for the night Toney Douglas.  Bibby scored 12 points and added four assists.  Douglas added six points, six assists and a team leading nine rebounds off the bench. 

-Gotta get the cohesion and rhythm back

Right from the start you could tell something was a little different about the game than it had been in the last few weeks. With the return of Amar’e Stoudemire there will be a period of time they will need to work the Kinks out. Stoudemire struggled for most of the night being plagued by foul trouble.  He managed as many field goals as fouls (five). 

The Knicks tried to work Stoudemire into the offensive flow early and often, but was unable to get anything going.  It seemed to also ruin the offensive games of everyone but Carmelo Anthony, who scored 11 of his 12 points in the first quarter.  Anthony only had 1 attempt after halftime, sitting the whole 4^th quarter as the Knicks were unable to mount much of a comeback.

The Knicks have three more games on the season to figure things out with Stoudemire returning from injury.  The first game is Sunday afternoon in Atlanta against he Hawks at 1:00 P.M. ET.

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. 

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. 

Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Post Game Recap March 26

Final Score: Milwaukee Bucks 80 New York Knicks 89 

This was not a game for the faint of heart, but it was definitely easier to handle as a Knicks fan with them pulling out a hard fought victory tonight 89-80 over the Milwaukee Bucks. Without Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin, the Knicks were able to get enough out of the rest of the team to beat a Milwaukee Bucks team they have struggled mightily against. With the victory tonight the Knicks widened their lead for 8th place in the Eastern Conference to 2 ½ games and reached .500 for the first time February 29th against the Cavaliers. They also improved to 7-1 under Mike Woodson. 

-Carmelo Anthony Picks Up the Slack 

With Amar’e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin both injured, the Knicks not only lost 2 starters but two of their top 3 scorers on the season. They needed someone to pickup the slack in the starting lineup, and that is exactly what Anthony did. 

Anthony scored 28 points, going 12-12 from the foul line. He also added a team high 12 rebounds to pick up the slack left behind by the absence of Stoudemire. He also put in the effort needed in a game like tonight on the defensive end. 

The only setback for Anthony tonight was what seemed to be a re-aggravation of his groin injury. He appeared hobbled at the end of the 3rd quarter, but was able to return in the 4th quarter. Upon returning he was seen clutching his groin multiple times. Anthony said he will go for treatment tonight after the game and tomorrow is another day. Right now there is no definitive answer on the extent of the injury. 

-Attacking the Paint 

The Knicks came out aggressive in the game tonight, attacking the paint and drawing fouls. Their aggression paid off, getting to the foul line a total of 35 times compared to only 18 attempts for the Bucks. This resulted in a 30-12 edge in points from the foul line for the Knicks, a decisive factor in the game tonight. The Knicks also controlled the boards much better tonight compared to the last meeting with the Bucks. The Knicks out-rebounding the Bucks 54-41 and limited the Bucks to only 9 offensive rebounds this time around, compared to the 13 the Knicks grabbed. 

-Defense Corrals Big-Named Bucks 

Outside of Mike Dunleavy’s unconscious play throughout the game, the Knicks were able to shut down the rest of the Bucks. They were able to keep Brandon Jennings in check for the first time this season, holding him to 15 points on 6-22 from the field. The Knicks were able to keep his new running mat Monta Ellis to an even quieter game, holding him to 4 points on 2-14 shooting. The Knicks starting backcourt of Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert had a much bigger impact on the game on the defensive end than normal starting backcourt made up of Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields. 


The next game for the Knicks is Wednesday, March 28th at 7:00 P.M. ET in New York against the Orland Magic.