<font color="Blue">Dallas Macericks (26-9)</font> at <font color="darkorange">New York Knicks (11-21)</font> Madison Square Garden, New York Tuesday, Jan. 11th 7:30pm, MSG, UPN21, NBALP <div align="center">vs.</div> <font size="2">After taking care of business at home, the Knicks took their act on the road and came up with a win for the fourth straight time. Trailing by eleven late in the third, sparked by Jamal Crawford, the Knicks remained insistent and came up with their first victory over a road team over .500. Now coming home playing perhaps the third best team in the NBA, will the Knicks make it five consecutive victories, or will the Mavericks hand them their first loss in 2006?</font> [div=50%] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="blue">Dallas Mavericks</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_terry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">PG Jason Terry</font> 16.9ppg, 9.0apg, 47.1%fg The Jet (no, not Kenny Smith) comes into tonights game shooting almost 43% from three-point range. The man is simply a threat and cannot be left alone from there. Other than a few assists here and there, thats pretty much sums him up. If the Knicks can Damon Jones-inize him and make him shoot 1-6 from three, they will knock out their second leading scorer. Hes a pure scorer, so even if he struggles, he wont hesitate to shoot himself out of a slump. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/adrian_griffin.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">SG Adrian Griffin</font> 4.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.3apg If Marquis Daniels were healthy I think he would be starting over Griffin, an offensive liability. Im pretty sure the only reason why hes starting is because of the defense and leadership he brings to the game. I dont think the Knicks have to worry about him much (if any). FrontCourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/josh_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="BLUE">SF Josh Howard</font> 15.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.9apg Drafted 29th in the 2003 NBA Draft, Howard, from Wake Forrest is looking like a steal. Hes putting up 15.1 points and 7 rebounds to go along with tough defense and tremendous heart. Hes also worked more on his offensive game, so teams have no choice but to pay him closer attention on the offensive end. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/erick_dampier.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">C Erick Dampier </font> 5.6ppg, 7.7rpg, 0.7bpg Dampier raped the Mavericks just as badly as James raped the Knicks. Sure, Dampier is much better, but hes getting much more money. Hell be making 13 million in his contract year. Hows that for overpaid? Anyway, hes a good rebounder, and defender. He, just like James, is foul prone, so if Curry can get him in some trouble, there can be some more penetration. Oh yeah, I forgot about Diop! [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki.jpg[/imgl]<font color="BLUE">PF Dirk Nowitzki</font> Dirk Nowitzki has confused scouts worldwide. When will they fail to realize hes a one and a lifetime player? Im still waiting for Zarko Cabarkapa to average Dirk numbers. But, back on topic: Nowitzki will be a problem. Hes an agile seven feet who can light you up from anywhere on the court. Who will play defense on him? When you find the answer let me know. <u>Keys To Game</u> <font color="Blue">Defense in General:</font> The Mavericks are much improved on defense. Depending on if they can use their defense to force turnovers (the Knicks main flaw), it will determine whether the Knicks will be able to make a run or not. So, continuing to play defense will be key for them. <font color="blue">Lock Down the Paint</font> When the Knicks started feeding Curry the ball yesterday against the Cavaliers, it not only took Ilgauskas out the game for a good majority, but they also got some easy buckets which were critical to making that fourth quarter run of theirs. Making Taylor and Curry non-factors in the game is what the Mavericks should do to make it more perimeter-oriented. [/div] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG Nate Robinson</font> 8.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.8apg The Mavericks will be playing Nates kind of game fast break basketball. His defensive game will be most valuable to the team, though. Nate will have to play hard on the offensive-savvy Jason Terry. Hes playing a more controlled game and with the Garden crowd cheering on their favorite, Nate should have a good game. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG Stephon Marbury</font> 18.6ppg, 6.8apg, 3.4rpg Marbury played as good a game as you could play against Cleveland. He didnt have as many assists, but he took advantage of scoring opportunities like a true floor general. Sometimes were going to need 10 assists from him and other times were going to need 20+ points. A couple of years ago against Dallas, Marbury had perhaps his best performance as a Knick ever tallying 38 points. 14 assists, and a key steal to send the game into OT. Too bad it was at a loss. Will Marbury win this time though? Frontcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF David Lee</font> 4.7ppg, 4.6rpg, 0.7apg Another tough match=up for David Lee is in store going up against Josh Howard. Lee needs to be an effective rebounder and passer and do the intangibles like he always does the things that dont appear on the box score. Hes also been pumped up most games. Often times I catch him screaming after a nice play. We need that from him today. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C Eddy Curry </font> 14.0ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0bpg Even with two very good defensive big men, Curry has to assert himself on the low block and draw fouls. The Knicks need Curry to slow down the pace, take time off the clock and put points on the board when he gets to the free throw line. Curry has been rebounding and defending much better during the streak and with play like this the Knicks will obviously benefit (hopefully Chicago wont). [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF Antonio Davis</font> 4.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 0.30bpg Who else is scared because of this match-up. Davis is the wrong type of player to run around and chase Dirk Nowitzki on the court. Hes too slow and old. Malik Rose is an idea, but at 67 he can easily get shot over. If they allowed Radmanovic to get 30 points at power forward, God only knows how much Nowitzki will score. <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="darkorange">Perimeter Defense:</font> The Mavericks have names like Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Keith Van Horn who all know can easily light you up from the perimeter. The Knicks must communicate on the defensive end and put a hand up in the face of every shot. <font color="darkorange">Cut Down on Turnovers:</font> The Knicks easily lose momentum when someone makes an illadvised decision and turn the ball over. The Knicks need to make better passes and smarter plays to prevent any easy hoops from the Mavericks. Prediction: Post them below.
I think Dallas takes this match with ease, NYK is coming of a back to back match and Dallas is due for a nice offensive outburst. Josh Howard and Dirk are the two keys to the game, they both had big games last year against NY and are looking to continue this. Come check out Dallas' forum perspective
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Maverick:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Dallas takes this match with ease, NYK is coming of a back to back match and Dallas is due for a nice offensive outburst. Josh Howard and Dirk are the two keys to the game, they both had big games last year against NY and are looking to continue this. Come check out Dallas' forum perspective</div> I don't the the Mavericks have the nesessary assertiveness to take the Knicks with ease, the way they are playing.
I don't have time to do the halftime analysis, but we're looking good and are up by 15 points. The Knicks need to find a way to sustain their lead because you know Avery's gonna give Dallas a tongue lashing.
Knicks win 117-115 what a shot by jason terry though the knicks are finally getting back on track, everyone did a pretty good job tonight and smart coaching by Larry Brown Jamal had another great game off the bench and nate grabbed 8 rebounds..and David Lee wasn't so bad 3-4 froom the field and had 4 rebounds in 18 mins and when is Jamal Crawford gonna start and not come off the bench? Well I was impressed by the knicks tonight 6 straight here we come!
It's really exciting to see the Knicks do so well (especially the way Antonio Davis stepped up). At this rate they'll be a top 8 ten come All-Star weekend. ( I think they are trailing Chicago or Washington by 4 games now).
