Pre-Game News and Notes
The New York Knicks are in the midst of playing their best
basketball of the season, reeling off seven straight wins. They will look to
continue the good play and winning streak tonight against the Philadelphia
76ers, owners of their own lengthy streak. The 76ers are currently riding a
franchise long 22-game losing streak and do not look like they will be ending
it any time soon. The Knicks have to come in and handle business against a team
that is more concerned with getting a top draft pick than winning games at the
end of the season. Here are some news and notes to help get the Knicks the
victory tonight.
Match-Up of the Game: Carmelo Anthony vs. Thaddeus Young
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| http://www.morningpickup.com/76ers-drop-pair-games-weekend/ |
When the 76ers started moving players at the trade deadline, Thaddeus Young was one expected to go. The versatile forward would have fit nicely in
almost any front court in the NBA, but he was the one player the 76ers decided
to keep. Even though the expectations for the team were rock bottom right from
the start of the season, Young has played well, averaging career-highs in
points, rebounds, assists and steals. He will be matched up throughout the
night with Anthony, being tasked with slowing down the Knicks best player.
Carmelo Anthony has played well all season and has continued it
throughout the winning streak. He will give Young everything he can handle
tonight. Look for Anthony to come out aggressive early and often as the Knicks
will try and put the 76ers away early and cruise to a victory.
Pre-Game News and Notes:
The Knicks still have no timetable set for the return of
Kenyon Martin or Andrea Bargnani. Martin seems to be closer and more likely to
return of the two. He would have be a seamless addition to the rotation as his
main job would be playing defense and rebounding while Bargnani was a big part
of the Knicks offensive plans and had trouble fitting in with some players. Cole
Aldrich should continue seeing time as the reserve big man with the positive
results he has produced recently.
For the 76ers, James Anderson will be a game-time decision.
If he is unable to go, expect to see a lot more of Tony Wroten. Wroten, who
gave the Knicks problems in their last meeting, is an athletic wing who likes
to get to the basket. He is far more explosive and aggressive than Anderson
and would give the Knicks a lot more problems; Anderson
is more of a three-point specialist.
-Control From the Start
It is imperative for the Knicks to get off to a strong
start. If they are able to take the lead early on and build on it they can take
the 76ers out of the game right away. The 76ers are a young team that cannot be
given hope; the longer they are in the game the more dangerous they will be. It
would be best for the Knicks to take them out early and not let them build any
confidence. On a 22-game losing streak they will grab onto the faintest of
hopes and try to ride that to a victory.
-Strong Guard Play Continuing
The Knicks guard play improving has coincided with the
winning streak. Since J.R. Smith has been inserted into the starting lineup everything
seems to be clicking. He has begun shooting the ball better and everyone now
knows their roles. Tim Hardaway Jr. looks much more comfortable as the only
scoring guard off the bench and the intangibles that Iman Shumpert brings fits
in better with the second unit.
Also playing better throughout the streak is Raymond Felton.
He will have his hands full tonight against potential NBA Rookie of the Year
Michael Carter-Williams. Carter-Williams is having a solid season for the
76ers, but is turnover prone and struggles to shoot the ball at times. If
Felton and the rest of the guards can slow him down they will have a much
easier time taking down the 76ers.
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