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.

NBA Midseason Award Winners and Losers

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The NBA season has officially hit the midway point as multiple teams have started their second half of 41 games. This season has been one of the craziest so far as some teams have risen to the top quicker than expected, others have bottomed out and some are riding roller coasters that would make the people of Six Flags blush. There have been almost as many individual surprises throughout the NBA as some youngsters have burst onto the scene and fans around the world are beginning to take notice. Check out the midseason award winners, losers and biggest surprises, both positive and negative, of an exciting first half of the NBA season.

http://video.news.com.au/v/158111/Is-LeBron-James-Sold-on-His-New-Nike-Sneaker

MVP – LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat

Knicks Lose to Lowly 76ers As Skid Hits 5 Games

Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2014

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks have hit an all-time low for the second time this season, this time because of a home loss to the 76ers, losing 110-106. The Knicks are full of turmoil and the problems they are having behind the scenes off the court are beginning to rear their ugly head on the court. Mike Woodson cannot find workable combinations as the five players he employs on the court look like they all speak different languages and are not on the same page; they look constantly lost and play scared because of the tension surrounding the team currently. With how things are looking it seems that there is no turn around on the horizon. With the loss tonight the losing streak is ran up to five games and 0-3 thus far on the home stand. The Knicks will get back at it Friday night against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Player of the Game: Andrea Bargnani

Bargnani played only 28 minutes on the night but he played a solid game, finishing as the only Knick with a positive +/- in the starting lineup. Bargnani was aggressive throughout the game, scoring 20 points as he did not settle for as many deep jump shots tonight as normal; he attacked the paint and was able to get to the foul line for six free throw attempts, making five of them. He also added four rebounds and some good one-on-one defense again. He got switched onto smaller player on a very occasions but he was able to hold his own, getting four blocks on the night. The thing Bargnani has to do is get more consistent; if the Knicks knew what they were going to get from him game in and game out things would be much better.

W2W4: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks; January 22nd, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2014

Pre-Game News and Notes

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

The Knicks will look to get the second half of the season off to a better start than the first half went against the 76ers at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night. This game will be the third on the Knicks eight game home stand, which has been a disaster thus far. The Knicks have suffered blowout losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets at home, in addition to rough losses in Charlotte and Indiana previously.  The 76ers are in almost as bad of shape as the Knicks this season, making for what could be an ugly contest between the two Atlantic Division rivals. Here are some things to look for in the game tonight.

-Player News and Notes

Nets Win Eighth Game of 2014 by Defeating Magic

nba.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 21^st, 2014

Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Magic 90 Nets 101

The Brooklyn Nets picked up their eighth win of 2014 on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic, as the Nets are now riding a three-game winning streak, and have the best record in the NBA in 2014. The win moves the Nets to (18-22) on the season, and are closing in on the Toronto Raptors for first place in the Atlantic Division, just two games back.

Positives-

The player of the game for the Nets in Tuesday's win was Andray Blatche, who had his third straight great game off the bench. For the third straight game, Blatche scored in double figures, as he had a game-high 18 points on six for 11 shooting. He did however lose his two-game double-double streak, as he only had five rebounds. In the fourth quarter Blatche got the crowd going with a huge dunk after he blew by Kyle O'Quinn.

W2W4: Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets 1-21

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 21, 2014

W2W4: Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets will be back at home for the first time in more than a week coming off a great win against the New York Knicks on Monday afternoon, and will be hosting hosting the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

- 2014

The New Year has been great for the Brooklyn Nets, as they are one of the hottest teams in basketball in 2014. Their 7-1 record since the calendar changed has them right back into the Eastern Conference hunt, as they are now just 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors, who happen to be their only loss of the New Year, which was the second half of a back to back. Tuesday's game will also be a game on the second half of a back to back, but it is against a team far worse then the Raptors.