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.?

Knicks Give Extreme Effort, But Fall In OT To Pacers

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Wednesday, November 20^th, 2013

Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

When quite possibly the best game you play in the season results in a loss you know things are going tough and that is exactly how it is going for the Knicks tonight after they lose their fourth straight game, fifth at home, to the Pacers 103-96. The Knicks effort was there from the start as they jumped out to a 13-0 lead but the little mental things that separate a contending team from a pretender reared their head again as the Knicks were unable to get over the hump and take down the Pacers. Morale victories do not help much in the standings but the Knicks do reside in what is the worst division in the NBA right now so they are right there in the standings. Hopefully this game shows them how they need to play in every game and they can build something positive from it. The Knicks will have a couple of days off before embarking on a road trip that starts in Washington to take on the Wizards Saturday night.

Player of the Game: Beno Udrih

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Udrih had a horrendous game last night against the Detroit Pistons but bounced back in a big way tonight against the Pacers. Udrih filled the stat sheet unlike any point guard had for the Knicks this season, scoring 19 points, handing out four assists and grabbing eight rebounds. Udrih was aggressive on the offensive end and made a number of circus shots as he oozed with confidence as the game went on. He shot eight of 15 from the field, including three of four from the three point line. The offense also looked good with him on the court as he has the versatility to run a number of different things from the point guard position and mesh with his teammates. For one game, and hopefully for the near future, Udrih looks like the point guard the Knicks have been seeking.

Nets Fall to Unbeaten Pacers

By Ryan McDonald(@RonnieMac90)

Coming off a depressing defeat to the Washington Wizards in overtime, the Nets did not right the ship in Brooklyn against the Pacers; losing 96-91 on Saturday. Both teams were on the second half of  a back to back. The Nets had an opportunity to send the game into overtime in the final seconds but Joe Johnson couldn't connect with an open look from 3.

MVP Candidate Paul George put in 24 points and was clutch down the stretch hitting big shots. David West put in 18 points as well, and seemed to have an open jump shot the entire night. Whether giving West that shot was by design or simply missed assignments I couldn't tell as it happened so often.

Positives -

The Brooklyn Nets bench continued to impress. Thought to be their weakness going into the season has turned into one of their strengths. It was their bench that saved the Nets from the game turning into a blowout early in the first quarter. Mason Plumlee out worked his counterpart Ian Mahimi for 3 rebounds and 6 points. Livingston showed once again that he can run the 2nd unit effectively. Unfortunately, other than the stretch of play in the 1st and 2nd quarter, the 2nd unit was not seen again.

Brook Lopez fended off Roy Hibbert fairly well. Hibbert shot 7-17 from the field and finished with 15 points. Post defense against elite centers is something Lopez has struggled with. Lopez was dominated by Marc Gasol and DeMarcus Cousins a season ago, so it's nice to see improvement. Hibbert's not exactly the offensive dynamo like those two, but Lopez made Hibbert work on every shot.

Negatives -

Kevin Garnett continued his struggles on the court. He shot 3-7 from the field for 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 turnovers. Garnett missed a couple of routine jump shots that he normally drills. This has been a theme so far in the early season and hopefully it can be fixed shortly.

 The Nets continued their late game struggles as they did against the Wizards. After managing to cut down the Pacers 4th quarter lead of 10 to 2, the Nets turned the ball over 3 times in the final 3 minutes of play. One was by Paul Pierce with under a minute to go as he was running to the corner in transition. Deron Williams also fouled George Hill on a 3 point shot with under 2 minutes to play. The Nets have been in games late 3 out of their 4 losses only to throw it away with bad mistakes.

Hopefully with time and as chemistry develops between the new pieces the Nets acquired, they'll be able to fix these late game issues.

Knicks Rolled Again as Pacers Take Commanding 3-1 Lead

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 14^th, 2013

Game 4 Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 82 Indiana Pacers: 93

It was the same old story for the Knicks tonight as they trailed the whole game against the Pacers, who took control early and never really let the Knicks back in the game to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.  The Knicks offensive struggles continued as they were unable to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court as the Pacers size still is causing a lot of problems.  The Knicks lineup change to go big did not pan out to well as the defense was not good enough to make up for the poor offense.  The Knicks will hope to extend the series Thursday night back at Madison Square Garden when they take the Pacers on for Game 5, playing for their season.

-Positives

Knicks Offense Crumbles as Pacers Take Game 3

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, May 11^th, 2013

Game 3 Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 71 Indiana Pacers: 82

The three day layoff between Game 2 and 3 did not play out as the Knicks had hoped as they struggled to do much of anything in Game 3 against a stingy Pacers team to fall down two games to one in the series.  Even the return of Amar’e Stoudemire was not enough for the Knicks tonight, who just could not get it going on the offensive end tonight to get a victory.  It was a tough game to watch as the pace was very slow and deliberate, playing right into the Pacers’ hands.  The Knicks will need a much more spirited effort in Game 4 Tuesday night to avoid going into a deep 3-1 hole in the series.

-Positives

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Matchup Preview

ESPN MediaZone

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

After exorcising some demons with their first round victory over the Boston Celtics, their first playoff series in 13 years, the Knicks will be taking on the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.  This will be a tough, grind it out series just like the first one against Boston as the Pacers are not afraid to slow the game down and ugly it up by throwing it inside and letting their big men do their thing.  Both teams finished off their first round series in six games but took different paths getting there.  Here is a rundown of the matchups in the series and which team holds the edge.