The #Knicks are back on the floor tonight @TheGarden! 5 Things to Know for the #NYKvsBKN matchup.
[?+? https://t.co/5fDswf1xVG] pic.twitter.com/jxNNYIPJFF— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2016
The New York Knicks are struggling, but their rival Brooklyn Nets are a pleasant surprise. Tonight’s matchup is important for both teams.
- Brooklyn Nets (3-4)
- New York Knicks (2-4)
- NBA, Today, 7:00 PM on MSG, YES, ESPN, Full Preview
- Madison Square Garden, New York City
The New York Knicks decided to shift gears on defense and assigned Kurt Rambis (it’s hard not to laugh even when you’re typing his name) to fix things. Changing your defense after things are awful six games into the season is signature Knicks. Nothing has changed there.
The Brooklyn Nets are a different story. New head coach Kenny Atkinson has already made a strong impact on this team. Brooklyn quickly adapted to Atkinson’s player friendly up-tempo style.
Per Basketball-Reference, the Nets rank third in pace, and average 34.0 three-point shots per game (third in the league).
Jeremy Lin‘s injury was a blow to Brooklyn’s momentum, but the underdog team gutted out a tough win against the Minnesota Timberwolves last night without their star point guard.
Without Lin, the Nets will lean even more than usual on Brook Lopez. The big man made noise on Twitter last night by hitting three 3-point shots against the Twolves.
Lopez has had an impressive start and the matchup with Joakim Noah tonight is one to look out for.
Kristaps Porzingis will have his hands full with Trevor Booker. The opposing power forwards have completely different games, but Booker’s aggressiveness should give KP fits.
Hornacek on working the defense w/ KP & Noah:"Its a tough thing. They are figuring it out. We are challenge KP to make the right decisions."
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2016
Hornacek on #NYKvsBKN tonight: "Its going to be a battle for us tonight." #Knicks
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2016
How many 3's did you drop last night Brook? #Nets pic.twitter.com/ywYgnxkgw9
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 9, 2016
Roll the highlight reel! #BrooklynGrit pic.twitter.com/aGVO5qXcOT
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 9, 2016
#Nets Grit Out 119-110 win over Minnesota: https://t.co/DNkNcnLk01
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 9, 2016
ICYMI: @JoakimNoah, “I just know we need a W.” #Knicks pic.twitter.com/rQRIRnZ2iL
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 9, 2016
