Pre-Game News and Notes: New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies November 16

Friday, November 16, 2012

Pre-Game News and Notes

New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Knicks will look to run their season record to a franchise tying 7-0 with a victory tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.  The Grizzlies are winners of six in a row and 14 straight at home, as this game matches the two best records in the NBA together.  Here are some things to keep an eye on in tonight’s heavyweight matchup.

-Control the Paint

The Grizzlies sport one of the top front lines in the NBA in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.  Randolph leads the NBA in rebound with 14 per game and 6.1 second chance points per game.  Gasol is no slouch, averaging 14.6 points per game, being super efficient in the paint both scoring and passing. 

Tyson Chandler will again have his hands full tonight and will need all the help he can get from Carmelo Anthony, Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby.  It will take a concerted team effort to control the paint, as the Grizzlies average 46 points per game in the paint, third best in the NBA.  The Grizzlies are also fifth in the NBA in rebounding rate, compared to last for the Knicks. 

-Set the Pace

The Grizzlies are one of the fastest paced teams in the NBA, liking to get in transition for easy paint baskets and for open perimeter shots for Wayne Ellington, Jerryd Bayless and Quincy Pondexter, who have combined to shoot 31 of 54 from behind the arc. The Grizzlies average 97 possessions per 48 minutes, good for seventh in the NBA.

On the other hand, the Knicks play at a much slower pace averaging 93.41 possessions per 48 minutes, ranking 26^th in the NBA.  If the Knicks can limit the Grizzlies fast break opportunities and keep the game to half-court possessions it would bode well for them as the Knicks are averaging an NBA best point per play in half-court offensive possessions and is where their defense thrives.

-Melo Match-Ups

If Carmelo Anthony stays at the power forward position, it will be the third consecutive game that he is matched up against a player that is much bigger than he is in Randolph; the physical toll will start to add up on the Knicks scoring leader and star player.

If Anthony is not matched up against Randolph, he will most likely be given the task of chasing around Grizzlies’ small forward Rudy Gay.  No matter the match-up, Anthony will have his hands full on the defensive end.

No matter who guards Anthony, he will be looking to get back on track on offense.  Anthony struggled against the Spurs Thursday night, scoring only nine points but was picked up by his teammates.  Even though he struggled on offense, Anthony had a major impact in other parts of the game and will have to continue doing so for the Knicks to be successful. 

Knicks Rally Late to Down Spurs

Thursday, November 15^th, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 104 San Antonio Spurs: 100

Knicks Rally Late to Top Spurs

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The Knicks showed how resilient of a team they were Thursday night in San Antonio, pulling off an improbable 104-100 victory.  Multiple times throughout the night, it seemed that the Knicks were going to be handed their first loss of the season; facing a 12 point deficit with seven minutes remaining, the Knicks made a ferocious comeback to get the win.  It is only the second time in franchise history that the Knicks started a season 6-0 and the last time they reached this mark they made a run to the NBA finals.  The victory also snapped a nine game losing streak in San Antonio.

The Knicks comeback came from unexpected sources, as Carmelo Anthony had an off game on the offensive end.  Guards Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd led the Knicks comeback in the last seven minutes, scoring 15 of the teams 23 points. 

Felton led the Knicks with 25 points on 10 of 20 shooting with seven assists and only two turnovers.  Felton also played tough defense on Spurs point guard Tony Parker, as Parker struggled from the field going seven of 20. 

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Kidd played a season high 34 minutes and the Knicks needed him on the court for every one of those seconds.  Kidd’s veteran presence kept the Knicks calm even as they went down 12 points and he responded with big baskets.  Kidd knocked down two straight three pointers to cut the lead down to four, ending the game with 14 points and four three pointers made.  Kidd also had an outstanding night on the defensive end, getting a career high tying three blocks.

Another contributor to the comeback effort was J.R. Smith, who continued his torrid shooting pace and is now shooting an eye-popping 73.7 percent from behind the arc.  Smith finished the game with 17 points scored, adding five rebounds and two assists. Smith brought it on the defensive end as well, getting one steal and one block, continuing to astound with his play thus far.

Anthony did not have the high scoring output, scoring only nine points on three of 12 shooting, but he contributed in other areas to help the Knicks win.  He pulled down a team high 12 rebounds and handed out three assists.  Anthony was quoted after the game talking about getting the hockey assist, showing the change in his perspective this season not even caring about getting the stats but instead focusing on ball movement and the extra pass to get the best shot possible.

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Tyson Chandler deserves some recognition as well, as he banged in the paint all night with the Spurs bigs and was able to still have a productive night.  Chandler finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, giving him his first double-double of the season.

The Knicks get right back at it Friday night, as they will head to Memphis to face the Grizzlies.  The Knicks will have their hands full again, as the Grizzlies sport one of the best interior combinations in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in addition to a great wing player in Rudy Gay and above average point guard in Mike Conley.