Knicks @ Thunder (Game 12) Preview
EDIT: Carmelo Anthony is out tonight, so we'll miss out on what promised to be an amazing scoring match-up between he and Kevin Durant. Instead, Amar'e Stoudemire will have to carry the offensive load. It will be fiery swingman Bill Walker starting in place of Melo.
The 6-5 Knicks, who have certainly improved a tad on their early performances, are in Oklahoma City tonight, to take on the Northwest division-leading Thunder (10-2).
The Thunder, thought by many to be the cream of the crop in the Western conference, are playing extremely well right now and their record shows this. Kevin Durant is as good as ever, averaging over 25 points per game and 'sidekick' Russell Westbrook, when not shouting at teammates, has chipped in as well.
OKC are a very well-built team, with scoring, interior defense and a lot of excitement making the Chesapeake Arena one of the toughest road venues for any team in the NBA. Not to mention the crowd noise, which always presents a playoff-style atmosphere, similar to what the Knicks are used to at Madison Square Garden.
Kevin Durant is one of those few players who cannot be stopped and who defenses can only hope to contain. With Carmelo guarding him this statement will almost certainly run true tonight. What we may see (and I hope to see) is a pretty intriguing back-and-forth scoring contest between Melo and KD, especially when it comes to crunch-time.
Fanatics Preview: Knicks (5-4) v. Sixers (7-2)
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KNICKS
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Overall Analysis and Expectations The Sixers come to the Garden with a 7-2 record from a six game winning streak. The Sixers may be slowed by the fact that this is their third game in as many nights. The Sixers have the best D in the league and have a crazy +16 point differential. . . . The Knicks played a solid all-round game in getting revenge against the Bobcats 91-87 and to extend their own win streak to three. Prior to that, the Knicks decimated the Pistons. With Iman Shumpert growing in his role as starting PG, the Knicks hope to keep up with the youthful and fast breaking Sixers. Hopefully the Knicks can keep it close and allow Anthony to work his scoring magic in the end game. |
SIXERS
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PG
Shumpert
Bibby |
Iman Shumpert is learning to become a point guard and is doing a little more than following D'Antoni's standing order to feed Melo and Stat in the post when they demand the ball. Shumpert's brings tenacious defense and the length to capitalize on his energy. Bibby continues to prove he is an underestimated old man, but should have his hands full tyring to keep up with Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday. . . Lou Williams is averaging 16.4 pts in 25.7 minutes while shooting 44% from the floor. Jru Holiday in his third year is playing 34.7 minutes per game with a 45% shooting percentage 14.8 ppg with 4.9 assts and nearly 2 steals pg. |
PG
Holiday
Williams |
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SF
Anthony
Walker |
Carmelo Anthony has been leading the Knicks with an average of 26.6 points, but has increased his assist production in the past two games. . . .The 76ers are so deep that Evan Turner who is averaging 10pts, 3 assts and 6.2 rebounds per game is not pictured here. Walker will certainly find staying out of foul trouble a challenge. |
SF Iguodala
Young |
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PF
Stoudemire
Novak |
Amare appears to have found his rhythm as he is averaging 23.8 points and 11.0 boards in the last four games. He will have his hands full defensively against Brand, Young and Allen. However, Amare in the paint should be virtually unstoppable. |
PF
Brand
Allen |
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C
Chandler
Harrelson |
Spencer Hawes is suffering from back problems, which may mean trouble for Chandler who will be forced to contain his proneness to foul trouble against a team which likes to force action in the paint. |
C Hawes Vucevic |
HE'S COMING ... GET READY FOR ONE HELL OF A RIDE.
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Baron Davis is one week away from going up for glory!
Below is BD'S PLAYOFF STATS........ GET READY KNICKS.
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | Charlotte | 4 | 0 | 14.3 | .435 | .167 | .500 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .0 | 5.8 |
| 2000–01 | Charlotte | 10 | 10 | 39.7 | .480 | .400 | .714 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 2.8 | .5 | 17.8 |
| 2001–02 | Charlotte | 9 | 9 | 44.6 | .378 | .339 | .597 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 3.6 | .6 | 22.6 |
| 2002–03 | New Orleans | 5 | 5 | 38.8 | .446 | .343 | .727 | 3.6 | 8.4 | 1.4 | .4 | 20.4 |
| 2003–04 | New Orleans | 7 | 7 | 37.1 | .377 | .327 | .758 | 4.1 | 7.0 | 1.6 | .7 | 18.1 |
| 2006–07 | Golden State | 11 | 11 | 40.5 | .513 | .373 | .770 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 2.9 | .6 | 25.3 |
| Career | 46 | 42 | 38.1 | .440 | .353 | .703 | 4.6 | 6.5 | 2.5 | .5 | 19.8 |
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