Category Archives: GameDay
• Wall seems to be making better decisions in the halfcourt with fewer play calls. They run a bunch of side pick-and-rolls for him and the screeners pop well for jumpers.
• The versatility of Rashard Lewis and Blatche becomes evident when they move to power forward and center, respectively. They post both players and put them in pick-and-roll plays.
In the halfcourt, the playbook has been simplified somewhat since the Gilbert Arenas trade. They are running a ton of pick-and-roll and pindown sets. They will also post up Blatche.
The Knicks had excellent shooting percentages across the board — 48.8 percent from two-point range, 47.6 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the foul line … 30 assists as a team, led by Raymond Felton’s 10 … nine total blocks, three each for Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawne Williams … all five starters in double figures, including shooting 8-15 from three-point range … Stoudemire had 23 points and shot 9-10 from the foul line … Landry Fields had a double-double — 14 points and 10 rebounds … Ronny Turiaf’s offensive output in 22 minutes played — 11 points. more
Right off the bat, if the Knicks are to win, they have to shoot very solid percentages from both the field and behind the arc. Felton hasn’t been getting his looks and is forcing. He has to be able to get in the paint and make under control. The Knicks field goal percentage has dropped a ton recently. They are due for a good shooting night.
With 813 tickets left there are still a decent amount of good deals out there and that this week’s drop in price has brought this game 8% below the Knicks $207 home avg.
Go enjoy a Friday night at the Garden!
Maybe not, as the Lakers have won 5 of 6 after losing 3 in a row around Christmas. They have had their share of quarrels recently and it’s unclear just how healthy Kobe’s knee is.
They will also be without ex-Knick Matt Barnes who is set to have knee surgery next week.
The Knicks are on fire, and have absolutely dominated the Western Conference.
It will be a battle tonight. And who doesn’t love a good Lakers/Knicks battle?
Guarding the paint has been one of the Knicks’ (21-14) biggest obstacles this season, especially against the league’s elite teams. In their loss to the Celtics (28-7) on December 15, the Knicks allowed 62 points in the paint — 18.3 above the Cs average. And in their loss to the Heat (29-9) on December 28, the Knicks gave up 56 points in the paint — 21.4 above the Heat’s average.
Defensively, the Knicks do need to guard the paint, but the key to beating the Knicks right now is rushing out to the perimeter and making their wings put the ball on the ground. That’s after you stop the pick and roll.
The Knicks may be catching the Lakers at the right time…we’ll see.
Whether the Knicks’ poor second half performance on the 17th was a result of fatigue from an active week at MSG or clamp down Miami defense, we’ll 
know more tonight as they take on Lebron and company for a second time in South Beach.
The Knicks were held to a putrid 34 second half points, while the heat kept getting timely baskets from the big 3, Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers en route to a second half blowout.
It was an emotional week for the Knicks, who now have had time to soak up a key second victory against the Bulls and an even more impressive win against the Thunder.
The heat are second in the NBA in defensive rating and 5th in offensive rating, a rare combination in the NBA. They are 24th in pace but seem comfortable playing fast if the situation calls for it. They seem to have figured out early season internal and on-court issues and are playing their best basketball of the season.
Without question the Knicks have their hands full tonight, but we all sort of knew this on July 8th. The Knicks are riding a high as well and the test tonight will certainly be a better barometer of where the two teams match up against each other.
Just a some memories to share with your presents and coffee.
And thank you for being a part of the TKB family.
-Tommy Dee
Obviously, it’s happened already this year, but a really wise coach who I spoke to once told me that the key to the 
NBA is doing just that.
Never lose 3 games in a row…
Which means the leader, the franchise, the MVP candidate Amar’e Stoudemire has to bring the energy to Cleveland tomorrow and win.
Flat out.
If he comes into the locker room tired or still reeling from the last 2 losses, then the rest of the locker room will see it and come out flat too.
Guaranteed.
The Knicks will win tomorrow if Amar’e is the Amar’e that we’ve seen over the past month.
No time for rest or nights off.
Leaders don’t do that.
My thanks @adrianC_PPNY for the effort
Keys to Beating the Wolves
1) Ball pressure: Minnesota’s bigs handle the ball a lot in the triangle.
2) Force turnovers: Wolves are last in the league in this category.
3) Communicate handoffs: Knicks defended this staple well in first game against them.
4) Protect the glass: Wolves miss a lot of shots, but they get offensive rebounds.
5) Run to the rim: A lack of defensive balance by Minnesota allows teams to get there.
6) Make the extra pass: Minnesota’s a slow rotation team, even on the first pass.
Key Timberwolves
Wesley Johnson: Very promising rookie prospect. Will get much better as he gets stronger. Skill set is there. Seems to have a natural feel on both ends of floor. Has 3-point range with a very fluid release. Can be pressured on drives and wants to go left. Runs the floor very well. A good backdoor cutter who understands how to get open. Sees plays develop as help defender. Just needs to add to his frame.
With all the talk about Griffin and even Landry Fields, Wes Johnson is flying unbelievable under the radar.
Brown is the son of Hubie Brown, and has an impeccable eye for the game. Obviously, fans will point to the Knicks horrid job on the boards allowing Love a career game, but they stopped making the extra pass in the second half when they got up to a huge lead. The Wolves absolutely struggle with rotations.
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