Starters: C: Tyson Chandler vs Chris Kaman. PF: Carmelo Anthony vs Elton Brand. SF: Ronnie Brewer vs Shawn Marion. 2G: Jason Kidd vs O.J. Mayo. PG: Raymond Felton vs Darren Collison.
Bench: J.R Smith, Steve Novak, Pablo Prigioni, Rasheed Wallace, Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby vs Vince Carter, Troy Murphy, Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright, Rodrigue Beaubois, Eddy Curry (12.5 minutes per game), Bernard James, Dahntay Jones and Dominique Jones.
It's more than obvious that Dallas has been looking for productive minutes due to the loses of both Dirk and for a couple of games, Shawn Marion. The Knicks only have 10 players currently averaging over 10 minutes per game. The Mavs on the other hand, have 14 players averaging over 10 minutes. It's a sign of weakness due to the simple fact that their bench is no where near as deep as ours, but yet, they're playing a lot more players. Not all very productive either.
Last time out we beat these guys by 10 poits during our 4th game of the season. The game was in New York and Dallas didn't have Shawn Marion. I believe we'll win by 12+ tomorrow night. They outboarded us off the glass by the overall count of 50-43 although we won the battle on the offensive glass by the count of 11-9. Tomorrow is a nice test in regards to how much we've improved (on the glass) dating back to our 4th game. Win the battle of the boards, and this Maverics team shouldn't have a chance.
We're off to a franchise best type of start at 8-1 overall. Our Knicks of 93-94 managed to start off 7-2. 7 of our 8 victories have been by double digit points. 3 of our 7 double digit victories have been by at least 20 points (or more). What makes our 8-1 start 'that much more impressive' is the fact that we've had the toughest strength of schedule of any NBA team.
As I stated heading into our Hornets gameday thread, as a pure basketball fan and/or New Yorkers who appreciate and respect the history of our Knicks franchise; an overall record of 8-1 is pretty special. Our fan base has never once seen an 8-1 start to an NBA season. Not to get ahead of myself, but Jordan's amazingly great Chicago Bulls team of 1995-1996 started off 10-1 before falling to 10-2 overall. That team then went on to win 72 basketball games. An NBA team record in which some say will never be broken. We're two consecutive wins away from matching that 10-1 start set by the Bulls of 95-96.
Bring on the Maverics on the road in Dallas. We're going for a 5-1 away record. This Knicks team is prime for a 9-1 start to our 2012-2013 season.
Travla@ 11/21/2012 8:52 AM
Semi-dangerous game. I don't see the Knicks losing if they play well. They've won a couple without playing well, not playing well against the Mavs could end in a loss. Just because the starters played about 10 to 12 mins less last night does not guarantee anything, it's still a back to back with travel and interrupted sleep/rest. Hopefully, it will be the Mavs who'll have a bad game. Knicks 93 - Mavs 85.
gunsnewing@ 11/21/2012 9:33 AM
Got a bad feelin about this game. Nothing wrong with 8-2 though!
RoyBatty@ 11/21/2012 9:53 AM
I think we win this as long as:
a) We don't get flu Chandler b) Our guards limit Collison
Because I don't see how Dallas can attack without Dirk.
MaTT4281@ 11/21/2012 10:01 AM
RoyBatty wrote:I think we win this as long as:
a) We don't get flu Chandler b) Our guards limit Collison
Because I don't see how Dallas can attack without Dirk.
Brewer/JR need to be glued to OJ tonight. Man has been unreal from the outside this year.
jrodmc@ 11/21/2012 11:02 AM
The Dallas frontline were being talked up after the postgame last night like it was the 80's Celtics.
Kaman, Marion, Brand?
Knicks can't be sloppy, but this surely isn't Memphis.
ChuckBuck@ 11/21/2012 11:19 AM
Healthy Marion means Melo will have to earn his keep tonight.
As long as the Knicks stick to the same formula (Under 24 pts allowed a quarter, less than 10 turnovers, stay out of foul trouble), they should have a solid chance at the end of the game. Back to backs are always tough.
CrushAlot@ 11/21/2012 11:24 AM
ChuckBuck wrote:Healthy Marion means Melo will have to earn his keep tonight.
As long as the Knicks stick to the same formula (Under 24 pts allowed a quarter, less than 10 turnovers, stay out of foul trouble), they should have a solid chance at the end of the game. Back to backs are always tough.
I haven't seen him play since he came back but I read that he is struggling.
ChuckBuck@ 11/21/2012 11:29 AM
CrushAlot wrote:
ChuckBuck wrote:Healthy Marion means Melo will have to earn his keep tonight.
As long as the Knicks stick to the same formula (Under 24 pts allowed a quarter, less than 10 turnovers, stay out of foul trouble), they should have a solid chance at the end of the game. Back to backs are always tough.
I haven't seen him play since he came back but I read that he is struggling.
Read that too, he seems to always have Melo's number historically though:
The Knicks have to get the jump on Dallas early, which between Melo, and Chandler and J-Kidd back in Dallas, I can see happening. Then the 2nd unit has to
Our margin for error is slimmer with this Mavs team, who will be trying extra-hard since we beat them at MSG.
Our starters are rested after last night's blowout win. That's how quality teams do it.
I don't see this game as a letdown risk, but moreso as a perfect time to reinforce the statement that the Knicks are already making and that the doubters have yet to believe- that this Knick team is for real.
GO KNICKS!
CrushAlot@ 11/21/2012 1:00 PM
jrodmc wrote:The Dallas frontline were being talked up after the postgame last night like it was the 80's Celtics.
Kaman, Marion, Brand?
Knicks can't be sloppy, but this surely isn't Memphis.
Brandon Wright has given Tyson a hard time of late. Hopefully that trend changes.
yellowboy90@ 11/21/2012 1:48 PM
Hopefully early Brewer and Tyson can get off. I think they need to get Tyson involved early to keep him interested. He seems to play better D after a few looks on the offensive side. Also if Marion guards Melo Brewer has to exploit his mismatch against Brand. He has been doing great so far but he needs to finish around the rim because he is not a good FT shooter.
GustavBahler@ 11/21/2012 3:10 PM
HARDCOREKNICKSFAN wrote:The Knicks have to get the jump on Dallas early, which between Melo, and Chandler and J-Kidd back in Dallas, I can see happening. Then the 2nd unit has to
Our margin for error is slimmer with this Mavs team, who will be trying extra-hard since we beat them at MSG.
Our starters are rested after last night's blowout win. That's how quality teams do it.
I don't see this game as a letdown risk, but moreso as a perfect time to reinforce the statement that the Knicks are already making and that the doubters have yet to believe- that this Knick team is for real.
GO KNICKS!
I think they will do their best to see Kidd and Chandler get a W in Dallas.
NYKMentality@ 11/21/2012 4:22 PM
Took the Knicks in a 4 team parlay. I've bet on the Knicks during a single bet four times this season, have hit all 4 times. Today I included them in a 4 team parlay. $50 down for a chance at $500 flat. Lakers -6 over the Kings in SAC. Knicks -3 over the Mavericks in Dallas. Spurs -1.5 over the Celtics in Boston. Nets getting +2 against the Warriors on the road in G.S.
4 road teams, but I like these teams to win tonight. Do they cover the line? Time will tell. I'm not a big gambler, don't like throwing $50 away but that 50 will come and go. At least it has a chance to earn me $500.
nixluva@ 11/21/2012 4:43 PM
If the Knicks do what they have been doing they can win this game and keep this thing rolling. It's been about being able to hold teams down from their normal production levels and the Knicks being a team that values the ball. Low turnovers and smart, efficient BB. It's a numbers game. The Knicks don't have to do anything special. They just out execute teams to death. Execute defensive rotations, get hands up and shut down driving lanes. Exectute the offense and take smart shots. It's a very odd thing that you can't point and say that it's overwhelming individual talent like say the Heat, where Lebron and Wade make up for the real holes in their team. Knicks just play the BEST TEAM BB.
jaydh@ 11/21/2012 5:49 PM
OGkush121@ 11/21/2012 8:02 PM
c'mon Knicks :D I can smell 9-1 :D
playa2@ 11/21/2012 8:09 PM
The only thing I'm concerned with tonight game is that Collison kid.
Someone said he played scared against the Knicks in the Garden about a week ago and didn't play his game. Our Pg's have to funnel his speed into shot blockers and others have to shut off the passing lanes when he tries to penetrate and dish.
NYKMentality@ 11/21/2012 8:21 PM
I'm not worried about any Guard. Not even Wade once Shumpert returns. Kidd, Felton, J.R and Brewer... These guys can guard tough as nails. Once Shumpert returns? Good luck to opposing PG's and 2G's moving forward; they'll have to work hard for each and every shot attempt let alone bucket.
FoeDiddy@ 11/21/2012 8:41 PM
NYKMentality wrote:I'm not worried about any Guard. Not even Wade once Shumpert returns. Kidd, Felton, J.R and Brewer... These guys can guard tough as nails. Once Shumpert returns? Good luck to opposing PG's and 2G's moving forward; they'll have to work hard for each and every shot attempt let alone bucket.
I agree never really broke that down..those are some strong defensive gritty guards to go against for 48 minutes.
