Preview
Knicks versus Brooklyn in Preseason: Part Deux
Will the Young Knicks get on track against an equally young Nets team?
This Sunday, the New York Knicks will be taking on the Brooklyn Nets for the second time in the past five days. The first game didn’t go as well as everyone hoped, but at least the second preseason loss had bright points.
With Frank Ntilikina, Ron Baker, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis questionable for today, this leaves the rotation in a state similar to the squad that played against the Washington Wizards on Friday.
Two differently trending teams
On Brooklyn’s end, Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert were listed as probable by the team’s verified Twitter account.
In their first meeting, the Nets embarrassed the Knicks at points, tallying a lead of 17 at one time. The Nets’ trouncing of the Miami Heat could be intimidating if that win turns out to be real.
To sum up New York’s last game in D.C., Courtney Lee was Courtney Lee, and although fans didn’t get a chance to see Ntilikina after first game jitters, Damyean Dotson’s steady play in limited minutes was an encouraging consolation prize. Fans should look forward to more play from him today. Unfortunately, not too many of the other Knicks shined when they took the floor.
Russell has a chip on his shoulder
If the backcourt can stop D’Angelo Russell from scorching them and the front court can keep DeMarre Carroll and Trevor Booker from crushing them in the paint again, then the Knicks should stand a fair chance. That’s a tall order for the unfamiliar roster with an obvious lack of bruisers in the big man rotation and a guard corps lacking in nearly every facet. An improvement in communication could alleviate defensive lapses and offensive hiccups a great deal.
Either way, the Knicks take the court tonight against a 2–0 Brooklyn team with confidence and momentum on their side. If a win gets out of reach, then maybe it’d be best to see how the rookies are acclimating to the NBA’s pace.
— Ty Jordan, staff writer
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