W2W4: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Brooklyn Nets

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 31^st, 2014

W2W4: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets will be hosting the red hot Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night at the Barclays Center, as New York continues their great week of sports leading up to the Superbowl on Sunday night. The Nets are coming off of just their second loss of 2014 to the Raptors on Tuesday night, and are now three games behind the Raptors in the Atlantic Division.

-MVP=KD?

The main goal for the Nets on Friday night will be trying to slow down Thunder Forward Kevin Durant, who is playing some of the best basketball in his career over the past few weeks. In the past 12 games Durant is averaging 38 points per game, while shooting over 50% from the field, so for the Nets it will have to be a group effort on the defensive end to try and slow him down. In the beginning of the month in the Nets victory over the Thunder, they held Durant to just 24 points and he turned the ball over five times. If the Nets can replicate the way they played on January 2^nd, they will be in good shape for a win on Friday.

Knicks Steamroll Cavaliers For 4th Straight Win

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Thursday, January 30^th, 2014

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were able to keep the good times rolling Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, blowing out the Cavaliers 117-86. The Knicks offense was clicking and they got out to an early lead on the Cavaliers and never let up off the gas; they never were in real danger of losing the game. More importantly the shorthanded Knicks, who had only 10 able bodied players available, were able to get some rest for their starters tonight heading into a big match up with the Miami Heat Saturday. It was nice to see the Knicks come out and handle business against a team they have routinely struggled against in recent seasons as they could have easily looked past this game to the weekend. The win tonight also clinches a .500 home stand at worst, something that did not look remotely close to happening after the first three games. The Knicks will look to keep their winning streak in tact Saturday in the final game of the home stand against the reigning champion Heat.

Tim Hardaway Jr. Named to 2014 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Pool

arizonasports.com

NBA All-Star weekend brings out stars and celebrities from all different genres. From the 3-point contest to Slam Dunk competition, there are names to be made on numerous different platforms for NBA players. One aspect of All-Star weekend that is overlooked is the BBVA Compass Rising Star Challenge.

The Rising Star Challenge pits NBA rookies and second year players in a game to showcase the best youngsters in the NBA. The game used to pit the Rookies and Sophomores against each other, but the newest format places players from both years in a pool as TNT personalities will instead draft teams to play against each other. It is a glorified pick-up game but one that up-and-coming NBA players could make a name for themselves in as it is the only time younger players get a chance to show off their talents.

Knicks Exact Some Revenge and Blowout Celtics

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, January 28^th, 2014

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were able to exact some revenge on the rival Celtics tonight, blowing them out 114-88; the score does not even do justice to just how much the Knicks outplayed the Celtics tonight. The Celtics came into Madison Square Garden December 8^th and gave the Knicks their third worst defeat in franchise history so tonight put a smile on their faces. It was a solid team effort as everyone did their part tonight to get the victory, the third in a row for the Knicks. The win also evens their win and lose record at 3-3 during the eight game home stand. The Knicks will get back at it Thursday night again at Madison Square Garden against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 PM ET.

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

NBA.com

The Knicks for once did not need Anthony to carry the offensive load himself, as the blowout victory enabled him to get some rest for once. But he was still a catalyst in the blowout victory, as he helped with a little bit of everything. Anthony fueled the blowout with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in only 28 minutes. Anthony got some much needed rest as the Knicks are extremely shorthanded currently in the front court. Anthony scored efficiently and kept his teammates involved, a potent combination for the Knicks this season as they improved their record to 13-3 when Anthony registers four or more assists in a game.

-Positives

The offense was clicking for the Knicks tonight, as they shot an impressive 53.7 percent (44-82) on the night, knocking down half their three pointers (10-20) in the process. Four other Knicks including Anthony scored in double figures, including a career high 17 points from Jeremy Tyler. Tyler has performed well in his limited minutes this season and looks to be a viable option for head coach Mike Woodson with all of the injuries ravaging the front court currently. Chandler added 12 to go along with 13 rebounds to give him his third double-double in his last four games as he continues to round into shape. J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. were the other Knicks in double figures, as the two are becoming a potent backcourt combination off the bench, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively. This was the second game in a row that the Knicks had five players score in double figures.

NBA.com

The defense was as effective as the offense through the first three quarters when the regulars were in. The Celtics were as cold shooting the ball as the temperatures outside, missing 12 of their first 15 three point attempts. On the night they shot 39 percent overall and an unsightly 27.3 (6-22) from the three point line. This looked nothing like the Celtics that routed the Knicks in December, as no one was able to really get going for Boston. Jeff Green led the way with 14 points.

-Negatives

It wasn’t all positive for the Knicks Tuesday night, as the injury bug reared its ugly head again. Kenyon Martin was returning from a five game absence and was barely able to make it through a half as he had a reoccurrence of his left ankle pain. Martin returned to the bench and was said to be able to return, but with the game in hand Woodson did not risk it, but the fact he had to leave the court at all is not good. Iman Shumpert was also injured in the game with a right shoulder injury. The Knicks could be without Shumpert for an extender period of time as the severity of the injury is not yet known, but he was not able to return to the court tonight.

Raptors Continue to Own Nets in 2014

sportsspyder.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 27th, 2013

Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Raptors 104 Nets 103

For the second time in 2014 the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets on the second half of a back to back for Brooklyn. The loss is only the second of the New Year for Brooklyn, as it moves them to (20-23) on the season, which is 2.5 games behind the Raptors in the Atlantic Division. 

Positives:

Paul Pierce one game after a tough emotional return to Boston, where he didn’t play very well bounced back with his best game of the season on Monday night. Pierce in just 31 minutes scored a game-high and season-high 33 points on 10 for 16 shooting, which included him going seven for 10 from three-point range, also a season-high for three-pointers made. Besides a great scoring game, Pierce also did a good job helping out on the boards, as he grabbed six rebounds.

Knicks Make It 2 In A Row With Win Over Lakers

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, January 26^th, 2014

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were able to build off their strong performance Friday night with another strong offensive performance Sunday night to get the victory over the Lakers 110-103. There was not much defense in the game but the Knicks were able to get stops when they needed them and were able to control the pace at times when the Lakers were trying to get the run’n’gun game going. It was not the best of overall performances for the Knicks but they got the win, which in the end is the most important thing. With the win the Knicks have won two in a row and will look to continue the winning streak Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics.

Player of the Game: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Madison Square Garden has been eerily quiet at times throughout the season and today was no different throughout most of the first half. The crowd got going once Hardaway Jr. came into the game as he provided a spark and some energy to wake everyone up. Hardaway Jr. lit the scoreboard up, pouring in 18 points on 7-12 from the field, including a scorching 4-5 from three point land. Hardaway also grabbed four rebounds and is gaining the confidence of Mike Woodson, as he, not Iman Shumpert, finished the game out this afternoon alongside Carmelo Anthony, Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith. Hardaway Jr. fills up the point column but the player he guards more than not does also. As long as he continues working on his defense Hardaway Jr. will find himself in the game at crunch time more often because of the scoring punch he adds to the lineup.

W2W4: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks; January 26th, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, January 26^th, 2014

Pre-Game News and Notes

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks

The Knicks and Lakers will be playing a Sunday matinee at Madison Square Garden as the Knicks will continue their eight game home stand. This will be the Lakers sole visit to New York this season and the first time the two teams meet this year; the second will be in late March in Los Angeles. Here are some things to keep an eye on for this afternoon.

-Player News and Notes

The Knicks front court will be in dire straights once again as Amar’e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin and Andrea Bargnani will all be out again. Metta World Peace will not suit up tonight either, leaving the Knicks with only 11 healthy bodies heading into the game and a dearth of depth at the forward spots. Jeremy Tyler expects to see minutes again, as should Cole Aldrich.

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant will obviously not be gracing Madison Square Garden with his presence today, at least on the court as he recovers from knee surgery. He is expected to return before the All-Star break. It would have been quite intriguing to see what Bryant would have done after Carmelo Anthony broke his MSG scoring record Friday night. Xavier Henry, Steve Nash and Jordan Farmar will all also miss the game today as well.