Clippers Molly-Whop Knicks As Losing Streak Hits 3

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Friday, January 17^th, 2014

Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks struggles continued Friday night as the Clippers defeated them at Madison Square Garden 109-95. The score does not do justice to just how poorly the Knicks performed as they were lucky to only lose by 14. The Clippers struggled to shoot the ball throughout the night, missing numerous open jump shots as the Knicks once again looked disinterested in the game. The shorthanded Knicks were unable to get anything going throughout the game on the offensive end as the Clippers stifled them throughout the night. The Knicks will look to right their wrongs Monday in a matinee affair with the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets at 2 PM ET at Madison Square Garden on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Player of the Game: J.R. Smith

Smith was inserted back into the rotation by Mike Woodson and he responded with one of his better performances of the season. Smith shot the ball efficiently, virtually the only Knick to do so, knocking down 9-18 from the field (3-7 3pt, 3-4 FT), adding four rebounds and two assists. Smith was game all night, playing tough defense and administering hard fouls to make the Clippers earn their points from the foul line instead of laying the ball in the basket. Smith, at least for one night, looked zoned in and ready to contribute to the team again after having a tumultuous season and especially last 10 days.

Match of the Game Recap:

W2W4: Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks; January 17th, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Friday, January 17^th, 2014

Los Angeles Clippers vs. New York Knicks

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Knicks will look to get back on track after two lackluster performances against the Charlotte Bobcats and Indiana Pacers. Tonight will be the kickoff to a franchise matching long home stand of eight games. This will be a make-or-break stretch of the season for the Knicks; they can use the home court advantage to get back into the playoff race or if they drop the ball like the last two games can virtually kiss the playoffs goodbye. They will face only two teams currently over .500 over the home stand; the Clippers tonight and the Miami Heat to close it out. Here are some things to keep an eye on for the game tonight.

-Player News and Notes

Nets Defeat Hawks in London

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 16th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks

Final Score: Nets 127 Hawks 110

The Brooklyn Nets were able to pickup a nice win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday afternoon in London, as 2014 continues to be very good for the Nets. The win moves the Nets to (16-22) on the season, and they continue to gain ground in the Atlantic Division, as they are now just 3.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors.

Positives-

After spending about 10 thousand dollars in a London club Monday night, Joe Johnson played like a million bucks on Thursday afternoon. Johnson started the game with a 15-point first quarter, and never looked back after his hot start. Johnson finished with a game-high 29 points on 11 for 15 shooting, which included him going six for eight from three-point land. He only had three points in the second half, as the Hawks started to double-team him, but Johnson adjusted making some nice passes, which led to him having five assists. 

The main beneficiary of the double-teaming of Joe Johnson was Alan Anderson. Anderson found his groove with a few wide open looks, and finished with 15 points on five for nine shooting. He was great from behind the three-point line going four for six from deep.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both also had good games providing scoring help for Johnson. Pierce scored 18 points on eight for 16 shooting with six assists and Garnett scored 12 points on six for eight shooting in just 18 minutes, as Jason Kidd was able to rest Garnett a lot in the blowout.

Off the bench the Nets got a great game from Andray Blatche, who had his best game of the season so far. Blatche scored 20 points on 10 for 18 shooting to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds and six assists. 

On defense the Nets did a great job once again of stopping the Hawks three main guys, as Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver all had bad games. Millsap only scored 13 points on five for 14 shooting with just three rebounds. Teague scored the most points in the starting lineup with his 16, but he also struggled shooting the ball going four for 13. Korver had a rare off night scoring just three points on one for nine shooting, but he was able to keep his consecutive game streak with a three-point alive.

The Nets will be heading back to the United States on Friday morning before a Monday afternoon game against the New York Knicks.

Pacers Run Knicks Out Of Indiana In Blowout

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Thursday, January 17^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were embarrassed Thursday night in Indiana as the Pacers blew them out 117-89. The Knicks were a disaster after a strong first quarter as the Pacers eventually forced their will upon the Knicks. It was the second consecutive poor performance for the Knicks who had looked to have finally turned the corner after a strong Texas Triangle road trip. The Knicks were awful Thursday night but will have a chance to get things back together as they will be right back at it Friday night at Madison Square Garden to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Anthony looked to be the only Knick who showed up to Indiana ready to play a basketball game. Like plenty of times this season Anthony attempted to put the team on his back and carry them; against lesser teams he is capable but not against a team as strong as the Pacers. On the night Anthony scored 28 points (8-17 FG, 3-3 3pt, 9-9 FT), grabbed eight rebounds and one assist. The Knicks need to offer Anthony more help if they ever expect to beat or even at least keep pace with the Pacers.

Match-Up of the Game Recap

W2W4: New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers; January 16th, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Thursday, January 16^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Knicks will look to get back into the win column Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers after a lackluster performance Tuesday against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Knicks will have their hands full against the top seeded team in the Eastern Conference, as the Pacers currently hold a 30-7 record. The Knicks looked tired against the Bobcats and cannot afford to come out with the same energy against the Pacers or they will be blown out of the gym. The Knicks usually get up for games against top teams, evident by the start to 2014 they have had. Here are some things to keep an eye on during the game.

-Player News and Notes

Tyson Chandler was limited to only 16 minutes in Tuesday night’s loss in his first game back from an upper respiratory infection. He will have to give the Knicks more tonight against a very talented and deep front line the Pacers deploy. Pablo Prigioni still is in street clothes and his return is unknown. The Pacers have no reported injuries and will have their full compliment of players tonight.

-What’s Up with J.R.?

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Atlanta Hawks in London

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 16th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Brooklyn Nets will be across the pond playing against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday afternoon, as the Nets will be looking to bounce back after an exhausting loss in Toronto. Brooklyn is now (15-22) on the season, which is four games behind the Raptors in the Atlantic Division.

- London Calling

Thursday will be the first NBA game of the season in London between the Nets and Hawks, and with the game in London lots of difficulties for both teams. Although they haven’t played since Saturday night, the jet lag maybe in affect for Brooklyn, as traveling overseas and adjusting sleeping schedules is never easy. The Nets have also had to partake in a lot of NBA duties, as they try to build more of a following overseas, and of course the team has been doing sight-seeing. 

Bobcats Snap Sluggish Knicks 5-Game Winning Streak

Tuesday, January 14^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Post Game Recap

When your best player’s reaction to having a game the following night after an overtime victory is “Oh Sh*t,” it does not paint a good picture. Tonight the worst happened for the Knicks as the Bobcats were able to run them off the floor, 108-98. The Knicks were gassed from an overtime victory last night against the Phoenix Suns and it showed tonight as they looked to be facing an uphill battle right from the opening tip. The Knicks were unable to get any flow going and had no answer for what the Bobcats were doing throughout the game. Being tired is not an excuse as every team plays back-to-backs; the problem was the Knicks seemed to be looking ahead to the big match up Thursday night against the Pacers. Another thing to watch for heading into Thursday night is J.R. Smith's standing with the team. He registered his second DNP-Coach's Decision in the last four games.

Player of the Game: Amar’e Stoudemire

With the Knicks struggling to score with Carmelo Anthony not being able to get going, Stoudemire came in and got it going off the bench. Stoudemire scored 17 points on a very efficient 6-10 from the field and 5-5 from the foul line. Stoudemire scored in a variety of ways, knocking down jumpers and throwing down thunderous dunks. He also grabbed four rebounds and had two assists. It was encouraging to see Stoudemire perform so well on the second night of the back-to-back. Coming into the season it was thought that Stoudemire would be getting rest in games like tonight but he is giving the Knicks everything his body is able right now. Stoudemire is one of the hardest workers in the NBA and to see him having some success again is quite a sight.

Chuck Burton/AP Photo

-Positives

Knicks Slip Past Suns in OT For 5th Straight Win

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, January 13^th, 2014

Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were able to hold off a feisty Suns squad in the last game of their road trip 98-96 in overtime. The Knicks effort was inconsistent throughout the night, never putting away a tough Suns team. The Suns are the Cinderella of the NBA season thus far and they showed why tonight against the Knicks; there are no superstars on the roster but they play hard and stick to what they do best. This is a game the Knicks would have lost just two weeks ago. It is amazing what a little practice time and a New Year can do for a team as the Knicks look like they have righted the ship. The win tonight gives the Knicks five straight and pushed them into a tie for 8^th place in the Eastern Conference with the Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks will look to continue their winning streak tomorrow night against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Player of the Game: Kenyon Martin

Jim McIsaac

Never in his wildest dreams would Martin have thought he would be giving the Knicks this much at any point in the season. It is hard to believe that Mike Woodson would have thought he would need Martin this much either but Martin has delivered. Tonight Martin was outstanding for the Knicks once again on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds and adding tough, hard nosed defense. Martin played 35 minutes, which is impressive because at the beginning of the season it was thought that he and Amar’e Stoudemire would be splitting time. Martin also added timely baskets for the Knicks tonight with two tip-back slam dunks to swing momentum and get the crowd into frenzy.

-Positives

Nets have Winning Streak Snapped North of the Border

tipofthetower.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 11th, 2013

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors Post Game Recap

Final Score: Nets 80 Raptors 96

The Brooklyn Nets had their five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night against the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors. The loss moves the Nets to (15-22) on the season and are now four games behind the Raptors in the Division.

Positives-

In what was a long night on Friday in the double-overtime win against the Miami Heat, and tough travels to Toronto the Nets were behind the eight-ball to begin with, which led to few positives in an ugly game. The best player for the Nets in their 80-point performance was Paul Pierce, who led the way with a team-high 15 points on five for nine shooting. When Pierce was taking out of the game towards the end of the third quarter the Nets actually had a 10-point lead, but by the time he returned they were down by eight points in about a seven minute span.

Knicks Knock Off 76ers for 4th Straight Win

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, January 12^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were able to keep up the solid play by picking up a victory in Philadelphia Saturday night, winning 102-92. The Knicks put forth yet another great team effort as they were able to pick up their fourth straight win. The Knicks came out lackluster in the first quarter, ending the period down 28-20 but were able to pick it up in the second quarter, going into halftime with a 52-40 lead. They extended the lead to 16 going into the fourth quarter but were able to keep the 76ers at bay in the final quarter to take home the win. The Knicks will look to continue their strong play Monday night as the surprise team of the NBA thus far, the Phoenix Suns, come to Madison Square Garden for their lone visit of the season Monday night.

Player of the Game: Amar’e Stoudemire

Chris Szagola/AP Photo

Stoudemire is beginning to look like the STAT of old recently as he dominated the offensive side of the ball once again. Stoudemire made his first eight shots of the game and finished the night with 21 points on 8-10 from the field (5-5 FT) and five rebounds in only 22 minutes. With more consistent practice time and minutes in the game Stoudemire has begun to flourish once again and give the Knicks a nice boost off the bench. Stoudemire is by far the Knicks most efficient scorer when given the opportunity and is an asset to the Knicks going forward if he can continue playing like this offensively.

-Positives