Knicks vs Pacers, 7:30pm -- Achieving Beyond the Vortex of Suck
Twelve wins so far this season. Who have the Knicks beaten?
Heat 120-115
Charlotte 101-98
Washington 114-108
Utah 107-99
Memphis 132-103
OK City 116-106
Washington 122-117
Golden State 138-125
Detroit 104-92
New Jersey 121-109
Sacramento 114-90
Charlotte 93-89
Every win after the victory against the Thunder was accomplished with some version of the current roster (in other words, minus Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph). This includes two wins against the Wizards, and wins against the Kings, Nets, Warriors, Pistons and Bobcats.
The victory against the Pistons was arguably the most impressive win, though it’s tempting to be snarky and dock the Pistons multiple points for any game they play on a Sunday (where they have been winless and hapless all season). Otherwise, the Knicks have won against teams ranked 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th in defensive efficiency. In other words, teams in the vortex of suck.
The Pistons are in the middle of the pack defensively, and the Bobcats, surprisingly, are the highest ranked defensive team the Knicks have beaten since they beat the Jazz at the Garden in early November (with a fuller roster and against a depleted Jazz team that plays poorly on the road). The Bobcats did their job the other night (holding the Knicks to 93 points), but of course they are 26th in the league in offensive efficiency, so even a defensively challenged team like the Knicks could hold their own and pull out the win.
Which brings us to the game against the Pacers tonight, which feels like another “trap” game, like the one against the Timberwolves last week. The Pacers have been a middling team all year, with a 10-21 record, though they’ve been competitive in most games, and have marquee wins against the Celtics and Lakers at home. Their biggest advantage over the Knicks would appear to be on the boards, plus they’re a slightly better defensive team.
The Knicks have the Celtics coming on Sunday, so they certainly won't be taking the opportunity to build on their previous win lightly. Likewise, the Pacers are likely feeling pressure to make the most of winnable games against the Knicks and Kings, as they have a rough West Coast road trip immediately ahead. The key for the Knicks will be containing Granger, and executing on their offense early and well enough to fluster the young Pacers and keep them on their heels (much like they did with the Bobcats the other night).
I'll be traveling and working this weekend, so my update on tonight's game may be light, or combined with Sunday's update. There's a whole slew of games tonight as it's the first night of NBA games in 2009, and this game probably doesn't look like the most enticing one on the schedule...but I think it could be a very entertaining and competitive game.
I'd settle for a Knick rout and no excitement, personally, but at a minimum, *please* none of the sloth of the previous home games against the Wolves and Bucks.
Heat 120-115
Charlotte 101-98
Washington 114-108
Utah 107-99
Memphis 132-103
OK City 116-106
Washington 122-117
Golden State 138-125
Detroit 104-92
New Jersey 121-109
Sacramento 114-90
Charlotte 93-89
Every win after the victory against the Thunder was accomplished with some version of the current roster (in other words, minus Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph). This includes two wins against the Wizards, and wins against the Kings, Nets, Warriors, Pistons and Bobcats.
The victory against the Pistons was arguably the most impressive win, though it’s tempting to be snarky and dock the Pistons multiple points for any game they play on a Sunday (where they have been winless and hapless all season). Otherwise, the Knicks have won against teams ranked 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th in defensive efficiency. In other words, teams in the vortex of suck.
The Pistons are in the middle of the pack defensively, and the Bobcats, surprisingly, are the highest ranked defensive team the Knicks have beaten since they beat the Jazz at the Garden in early November (with a fuller roster and against a depleted Jazz team that plays poorly on the road). The Bobcats did their job the other night (holding the Knicks to 93 points), but of course they are 26th in the league in offensive efficiency, so even a defensively challenged team like the Knicks could hold their own and pull out the win.
Which brings us to the game against the Pacers tonight, which feels like another “trap” game, like the one against the Timberwolves last week. The Pacers have been a middling team all year, with a 10-21 record, though they’ve been competitive in most games, and have marquee wins against the Celtics and Lakers at home. Their biggest advantage over the Knicks would appear to be on the boards, plus they’re a slightly better defensive team.
The Knicks have the Celtics coming on Sunday, so they certainly won't be taking the opportunity to build on their previous win lightly. Likewise, the Pacers are likely feeling pressure to make the most of winnable games against the Knicks and Kings, as they have a rough West Coast road trip immediately ahead. The key for the Knicks will be containing Granger, and executing on their offense early and well enough to fluster the young Pacers and keep them on their heels (much like they did with the Bobcats the other night).
I'll be traveling and working this weekend, so my update on tonight's game may be light, or combined with Sunday's update. There's a whole slew of games tonight as it's the first night of NBA games in 2009, and this game probably doesn't look like the most enticing one on the schedule...but I think it could be a very entertaining and competitive game.
I'd settle for a Knick rout and no excitement, personally, but at a minimum, *please* none of the sloth of the previous home games against the Wolves and Bucks.
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