Knicks Have Solid Bounce Back Against Hawks

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, December 14^th, 2013

Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

What a difference a night makes. After losing in Boston last night the Knicks put in a great effort tonight at Madison Square Garden to defeat the Hawks 111-106. It was an outstanding team effort for a squad playing their fourth game in five nights and after looking so lackluster just 24 hours prior. The Knicks came into the game shorthanded with Kenyon Martin suffering an injury last night and Amar’e Stoudemire’s status up in the air up as a game-time decision but put together a great team performance to get the win. The Knicks moved to 7-16 on the season and will play again Monday night at the Garden again against the Washington Wizards.

Player of the Game: Pablo Prigioni

AP Photo/John Minchillo

Throughout the early part of the season head coach Mike Woodson had been hesitant to start Prigioni but it is becoming harder and harder for Woodson to keep him out of the lineup. Prigioni got the offense and defense going tonight as he had momentous play after momentous play. Prigioni righted the ship when the Hawks cut the Knicks 14-point lead to only four early on in the fourth quarter with his steady play. He nailed a three-pointer to put the Knicks up 10 and then got a steal and layup to put the Knicks up 12. To top it off he threw a beautiful behind the back pass to Andrea Bargnani, who subsequently knocked down a three-pointer to give the Knicks a 15 point lead. On the night Prigioni scored 11 points, had one rebound, six assists and four steals. He shot the ball efficiently, knocking down 3-6 from the three point line and 4-8 from the field overall. Prigioni played 30+ minutes on back-to-back nights, which could be a concern in the future with the heavy minute load but for now Prigioni looks ready and willing to play as many minutes as needed.

-Positives

Knicks Early and Late Struggles Result in Tough Loss

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Friday, December 13^th, 2013

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

Post Game Recap

The Knicks suffered a hard fought, heart breaking loss Friday night in Boston 90-86. It is the second time in a week that the Celtics defeated the Knicks, after a rout Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. This is a terrible loss for the Knicks as they have dropped the first two meetings of the season with the Celtics The Knicks had control in the game, going up by 11 in the fourth quarter after falling down by as many as 17 in the first half. Unfortunately the reoccurring story of a stalling Knicks offense played out again and they faltered down the stretch. The Knicks fall to 6-16 with the loss tonight and sit in the basement of the Atlantic Division.

Player of the Game: Amar’e Stoudemire

For the second consecutive game Stoudemire receives the player of the game. He came up huge once again for the Knicks on the offensive end, scoring 18 points on 7-9 shooting. He showed off his increasing confidence knocking down multiple jump shots once again. He also played 30 minutes again, which could cause some concern for the Knicks; Kenyon Martin was forced out of the game in the fourth quarter with an abdominal strain. Stoudemire may not be available for the Knicks tomorrow and it would be a huge blow, I have said it once and I will say it again that he is the most efficient scorer the Knicks have. No one scores as easily on the team as he does and without him making easy baskets it will be tough sledding for the Knicks tomorrow night.

-Positive

W2W4: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Friday, December 13^th, 2013

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Knicks were able to win a tough game Wednesday night after two disappointing performances against the Cleveland Cavaliers and these Boston Celtics. The Celtics hammered the Knicks Sunday night by 41 points, so tonight the Knicks will be looking to exact some revenge. Here are some things to watch for tonight as the Knicks and Celtics will top off at 7:30 PM ET in Boston.

-Which Defense Shows Up?

Knicks Hold Off Bulls for Much Needed Win

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Wednesday, December 12^th, 2013

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

It was an ugly game to watch at some points but the Knicks found a way to come away with a much needed victory. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 83-78 as they made it as difficult as ever on themselves to take home the win tonight. With the victory the Knicks move to 6-15 on the season and unbelievably within 2.5 games of first place in the Atlantic Division. The win will also give embattled head coach Mike Woodson some breathing room, at least for one night as his seat is seemingly as hot as anyone’s in the NBA.

Player of the Game: Amar’e Stoudemire

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Playing in his first back-to-back of the season Stoudemire looked outstanding tonight on both ends of the court. The last time Stoudemire played back-to-back games he ended up needing arthroscopic knee surgery; this time around that does not seem to be the case thankfully for the Knicks. He got the Knicks rolling in the second quarter, scoring eight points on 4-5 shots from the field, grabbing two rebounds and adding another highlight block in the process. He was as active on defense as ever this season, taking charges and registering two steals; he also made things very difficult for Joakim Noah throughout the night, getting multiple deflections. On the night securing Stoudemire scored 14 points on 7-11 shots, even knocking down some jump shots along the way, and nine rebounds. Stoudemire made the most important shot in the game with about two minutes remaining as he knocked down a jump shot to give the Knicks a two point lead and end their scoring draught. The most impressive thing for Stoudemire is that he looks to have survived the game without any setbacks. That’s huge for the Knicks that he is starting to look healthy because if he can produce like this with regularity the Knicks fortunes will begin to turn.

-Positives

Rangers Need Answers to Questions

Two months into this young NHL season, it is obvious who the weakest division is. 

The Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference has become the joke of the NHL right now. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been the only consistent team so far this season while the Washington Capitals have come on strong of late and may be finding their stride behind captain Alex Ovechkin. 

So who wants that third spot in the Metropolitan Division? The New York Rangers would seem to be the odds on favorite to secure the third spot, but have had trouble putting back to back wins together and have lost three in a row to under achieving teams. 

After starting the season with a treacherous nine game road trip where the Blueshirts went 3-6, and a home opening loss to Montreal, it seemed as if the Rangers were in for a long season with their star goaltender in the final year of his contract. The Rangers struggled to find the back of the net while opponents were peppering the back of theirs. 

Then came a favorable stretch of games where the Rangers would begin to elevate their game to the level everyone expected. A three game winning streak against mediocre to bad teams was halted by the mighty Anaheim Ducks, but the Rangers bounced back with a blowout win against Pittsburgh and two more wins against the basement of the Eastern Conference. 

Winning five out of six helped this team regain their mojo....or at least everyone thought they did. 

Nets Defeat Celtics in Return of Deron Williams

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

December 10th, 2013

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Celtics 96 Nets 104

For the first time this season the Brooklyn Nets are now on a winning streak with their victory at home against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. The 104-96 win at the Barclays Center moves the Nets to (7-14) on the season, and puts them just two games back of lead in the Atlantic Division.

- Positives

Quite possibly the biggest positive of all season so far for the Nets was the return of Deron Williams, who played in his first game since November 20th due to an ankle injury. Despite missing a lot of time so far this season Williams did not look rusty in the win, and in fact looked like the Williams of the second half of last season. Williams finished with 25 points on 10 for 16 shooting, and also dished out seven assists.

Knicks Struggles Continue Courtesy of Kyrie Irving

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, December 10^th, 2013

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Post Game Recap

It was an improvement over Sunday afternoon’s debacle at Madison Square Garden but Tuesday night’s game was still an embarrassment for the Knicks as they fell to the Cavaliers 109-94. The Cavaliers were relentless all night as the Knicks had awful first and third quarters that essentially gave the Cavaliers the game. They trailed by 18 points in both quarters and with the loss matched the worst start in Knicks franchise history, losing 11 of the last 13 games. The seat is getting hotter for head coach Mike Woodson who may not even make it to Tyson Chandler returns to give him his full complement of players to use. Things won’t get any easier for the Knicks as they will return home to take on the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night at 8 PM ET.

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Mark Duncan/AP Photo

It is tough to recognize a player for doing anything positive in such a poorly played game but once again Anthony came out and tried his best to carry his team to victory. Anthony shot the ball efficiently from the field, going 12-19 from the field (3-4 3pts and 2-2 FT) for a team high 29 points to go along with eight rebounds. Anthony also added three assists; a number that would have been higher had anyone made their shots nearly as efficiently as Anthony did. He only turned the ball over once as well, an impressive number with how often the ball was in his hands and how much of the decision making he has to do with the Knicks on offense. Anthony continues to put forth outstanding effort and why the rest of his teammates are not following suit is inexcusable.

-Positives

W2W4: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers December 10th, 2013

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, December 10^th, 2013

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Knicks will look to bounce back after an embarrassing performance Sunday afternoon against the Boston Celtics tonight against the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have been playing much better basketball recently, winning three of their last four games against some talented teams in the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks will have to come out with a lot better effort and energy than they did Sunday if they are to knock off the Cavaliers tonight. Here are some things to keep an eye on in tonight’s game.

-Player News and Notes