@ Date: Friday, December 3rd Time: 7:30 TV: MSG, NBATV Previous Magic: Won against Raptors 129-108 Knicks: Won against Grizzlies 90-82 Probable Starters <font size="1">(Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Tim Thomas, Kurt Thomas, Nazr Mohammed)</font> <font size="1">(Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Kelvin Cato)</font> 6th Men Key Players We can hope that Stephon Marbury will be able to score 20+ once again this time being guarded by Steve Francis guarded by Steve Francis. He's coming off a good performance last night against Memphis scoring 26 points in 8-14 shooting. Steve Francis is also coming off a good game scoring 23 points and 7 assists. I think we can all expect a good game from him. Keys to the game Knicks: -Tim Thomas will have a hard time guarding Grant Hill, so a double-team on him will be a must. -The Knicks will need to rebound well. Magic: -Cover the perimeter. -Don't let Kurt Thomas get hot with his mid-range shot. My Prediction This looks like an even game to me. I think the game will be close about 96-93, Knicks win.
The New York Knicks are really beginning to make it tough for teams to win in the Madison Square Garden. These two teams are talented and evenly matched, and it should be a great game to say the least. Cuttino Mobley needs to be slowed down in my opinion, he could break the game open if Jamal Crawford cannot contain him, he has a great shot and can make the big shots also, and with the defense being played of late by the New York Knicks then, you be the judge of what may happen ..... I do think New York Knicks biggest advantage is the fact that they are at home (Orlando 3-3 on road games), and it is crucial for the bench to play a big role; Penny Hardaway, Mike Sweetney, Jerome Williams, Trevor Ariza, as much of the players are matched evenly on each respective teams. I think the New York Knicks are a deeper team and I hope Lenny Wilkens takes advantage of that, but we'll see .... Steve Francis will probably outplay Stephon Marbury in terms of an overall game, despite Stephon Marbury's strong play of late, though I think it will be Stephon Marbury who will help pull it out in a game I think will be decided in the final 2 minutes. The New York Knicks are rolling right now, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to win at home against a team just as good. The New York Knicks in a tight win, I will even go as far out as to say that the game will be sealed with free throws; New York Knicks 103 Orlando Magic 98 .... and we improve to 9 - 6.
This will be a tough fun game to watch. It's going to be a shootout. Marbury and Steve Francis match up very well against each other. Crawford and Mobley are a close match as well. Grant Hill could be a problem. Could be. We'll have to do him like we did Lebron. Ariza should get alot of minutes just so we can contain Hill. Dwight Howard wont be a serious issue. He'll get some rebounds, score here and there but Kurt Thomas will cause problems for him all night. If not Kurt Thomas then JYD. Cato is more of a defensive player than an offensive so we dont have to worry too much about him. The key factor in this game will be the bench. And I think our bench gives us the edge in this game. They wont be able to keep up with us when the second unit goes in.
I think this game will be down to the wire. I predict that it'll be a 99-98 win over the Knicks for Orlando. The SF spot for NY may really hurt them in this game if TT doesn't show up to play, and most likely he won't knowing Tim Thomas.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">I think this game will be down to the wire. I predict that it'll be a 99-98 win over the Knicks for Orlando. The SF spot for NY may really hurt them in this game if TT doesn't show up to play, and most likely he won't knowing Tim Thomas.</div> TT will be a problem. But our bench will be able to carry his dead weight to a 98-93 victory.
We'll that was a heartbreaking loss. I still havent recovered fully. We had them. At halftime I thought it was over. Although Crawford had 20+ points its clear that he costed the Knicks. In the third quarter he took alot of shots and had alot of misses. Also made crucial turnovers. Especially the one that sealed the game. He cant run the point either. We have to use Brewer to back up Marbury. Our offense becomes suspect when Marbury's out of the game. Like we have no plan or idea of what to do. I dont think Kurt got enough shots or Sweetney for that matter. Houston's prescence on the court was greatly missed tonight. Its a tough loss. But have to look ahead to tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be 9-7 by tomorrow night's end. Oh yeah, sorry for the double post.
The way the game ended was so anti-climactic. Anyone else felt that way? All that drama built up and it ends because Steph missed some freethrows and Crawford couldn't execute on an in-bounds pass. Ugh.
The Knicks have a pretty easy game coming up against the Bobcats so they might still be able to use that to get a bigger lead in the Atlantic division with everyone else struggling. It wa sa good game, but in the end the Magic performed well knocking down clutch free throws while the Knicks did not. Good game though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting r0ka:</div><div class="quote_post">The way the game ended was so anti-climactic. Anyone else felt that way? All that drama built up and it ends because Steph missed some freethrows and Crawford couldn't execute on an in-bounds pass. Ugh.</div> Yeah, you're right about that. Man...I got all excited for nothing
