[instagram]https://www.instagram.com/p/CQplGNDF7mP/[/instagram]
Man. This game is big time for us.
A.) Looking for back to back to back (3 consecutive) wins in a row.
B.) Looking to get back to .500 (after once being down a seasons low of 4 games below. 500).
C.) Looking to win the season series vs. Boston 3-1 (and giving us the H2H tie breaker).
D.) Looking to get back into the 8th seed with a Knicks win tonight + Charlotte loss vs. Milwaukee (after once being the 12th seed @ 4 games below .500).
E.) Looking to put Boston in our rearview by 2.0 games
Yes. These two games vs. Boston and now @ Boston were (and are) big time.
Evan Fournier is listed as questionable and I never thought I'd say this, but i really want him in our lineup tonight.
▪︎ Evan Fournier (during his 3 games vs. Boston) is averaging 35.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game with a 3PT% of .540% (20/37) along with a +/- of +31.
Regardless if he plays or doesn't play, NY must expect and prepare for Boston to come out the gates foaming out the mouth and looking for payback/revenge/redemption after blowing their 25 point lead on Thursday Night.
If NY can punch them in the mouth and jump off to an early and quick 10+ point lead? Mentally? Boston would be done for.
Won't be surprised if we get blown out. Kind of expecting it tbh. It's difficult to beat the same team back to back. And the leprechaun killer is listed as questionable.
SergioNYK wrote:Won't be surprised if we get blown out. Kind of expecting it tbh. It's difficult to beat the same team back to back. And the leprechaun killer is listed as questionable.
This!
We are a middle of the road team and Boston should be pissed for blowing such a big lead. I'd be pleased if we made it a competitive game in the 4th at all.
Looks like Celtic killer gonna sit this one out although Berm has a different nuance on Fournier
If Evan Fournier sits, this could become an awesome opportunity for Quentin Grimes to start and play @ Boston with Defensive intently.
We're allowing 117.6 points per game throughout 3 matchups against Boston this year.
So what we'll be missing from Evan Fournier's Offense (vs. only Boston) we could gain with much stronger Defense.
Don't see the celtics losing this one, unfortunately, but a win would be sweet and take us to a .500 record. But I think the celtics and their fans will be so p'd off at the two games they blew vs us,they'll be out to tear us a new one.
smackeddog wrote:Don't see the celtics losing this one, unfortunately, but a win would be sweet and take us to a .500 record. But I think the celtics and their fans will be so p'd off at the two games they blew vs us,they'll be out to tear us a new one.
True.
But it could also be the complete opposite.
It could become the Knicks who blow them out. After allowing Boston gave up a 25 point lead and then lost on a game winning 3? Boston could seriously be second guessing themselves and mentally beat (before the games even started);
While it's our Knicks players who are fired up and smelling blood in the waters with A+ confidence and belief heading into tonight's game.
Only time will tell but one thing is for sure. Boston has by far the worst 4th Quarter team within the entire league. Ok. They're the 27th worst 4th Quarter team (Knicks 10th) which means no matter how many points Boston is up by; there's always a chance to comeback and beat them in the 4th Q.
martin wrote:
Yessssssssss.
I've been begging for IQ to get a start. He's earned it and he deserves this opportunity.
4th career start (2nd of 2021-2022).
We've all complained about our starting 5 this year. IQ starting can fix that tonight (and moving forward).
Now the likes of Deuce/Grimes and Obi Toppin have an opportunity to become the heart and soul of our 2nd unit.
martin wrote:
I like this line up. I wonder if we’ll see more than 10 minutes of H2.0 and McBrine
martin wrote:
That was some celebration 
Julius had a little Anthony Mason in his game Thursday. I hope we see more of that tonight.
Bulldozer finesse baby.
