Game 48: Cavs at Knicks

by Chris Alvino on February 4th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

When: 7:30 P.M.
Where: MSG
Watch: MSG

Starting Lineups:
Cavs (38-9)
PG- Mo Williams
SG- Wally Szczerbiak
SF- LeBron James
PF- Ben Wallace
C- Z Ilgauskas
Rest of rotation: D Gibson, A Varejao , JJ Hickson,

Knicks (21-26)
PG: Chris Duhon
SG: Quentin Richardson
SF: Al Harrington
PF: Jared Jeffries
C: David Lee
Rest of Rotation: Nate Robinson, Tim Thomas, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari

Injuries:

Cavs: OUT: Delonte West

Knicks: OUT: Eddy Curry

GAME NOTES

Stop LeBron James!

I am afraid it is not that simple when playing the Cavs this year. This is a team that competes primarily with its strong defense, the mark of a championship team (or in this case, a team that is built for a championship). The Knicks will have to go right at the Cavs tonight and not allow their defense to stifle them. As this team has already shown this year at MSG, the Cavs do not need a monster performance to blow this Knick team out of the water.

Offensively, the Cavs have other weapons as well. Mo Williams will probably replace Jameer Nelson as an all-star reserve. Wally can be dangerous if he is left open (which is something that Knick defenders have a tendency to do). Big Z can hurt you on any given night as well.

Again, stopping LeBron James has to take priority. But if the Knicks want to win this one, they will have to take it right at the Cavs, making them use every ounce of defensive ability that they have to stop us. It is time for the Knicks to restore some team pride in this city, and how better to do so than by beating one of our hopefully future players?

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • Chris Alvino

    David Lee is absolutely lost on the defensive end. He cannot defend a pick at all.

    LeBron is getting royal treatment from the refs.

  • Chris Alvino

    And unlike what Clyde says, do not let LeBron take open jumpers. he will hit them.

    How about when he drives, someone steps in front of him.

    Also, put Jeffries on him. Or Harrington.

    Q can’t get it done.

  • Mucha

    Like I said, the shooting forward spot is the key to this game. Not because of James because we all know that he’s going to have a great game, but the Knicks’ game will depend on Harrington, Chandler or Gallinari’s numbers.

    Harrington got it done in the first half, he’s the only go-to-guy that we have on the offensive end and he deserves a lot more credit for that. He has his share of bad games though, but still.

  • mr.gee21

    Um, do moral victories count? No? Damn, that’s what I thought…