Knicks 8-9 vs. Hornets 1-15 <font size="3"> Date: 12/8/04 Time 8:80 (7:30 Cannon Business Solutions Knicks Gamenight) TV: MSG </font> <font size="4">Season Stats</font> Knicks: Record: 8 - 9 ( .471) Standings: First, Atlantic At Home: 6 - 2 On Road: 2 - 7 PPG: 96.0 Opp PPG: 98.6 FG%: .437 Opp FG%: .475 RPG: 43.5 Opp RPG: 40.8 Hornets: Record: 1 - 15 ( .063) Standings: Fifth, Southwest At Home: 0 - 8 On Road: 1 - 7 PPG: 86.2 Opp PPG: 94.4 FG%: .408 Opp FG%: .459 RPG: 41.1 Opp RPG: 40.1 <font size="4"> <font color="DarkOrange">Knicks</font></font> PG: Stephon Marbury 20.1ppg 3.0rpg 8.9apg SG: Jamal Crawford 19.2ppg 2.9rpg 3.7apg SF: Tim Thomas 9.4ppg 3.6rpg 0.8apg PF: Kurt Thomas 11.4ppg 10.0rpg 1.5apg C: Nazr Mohammed 12.5ppg 9.7rpg 0.1apg <font size="4"> <font color="Blue">Hornets</font></font> PG: David Wesley 13.4ppg 3.2rpg 4.3apg SG: Junior Harrington 6.7ppg 2.6rpg 2.4apg SF: Lee Nailon 12.9apg 4.7rpg 1.4apg PF: Matt Freije 3.3ppg 2.1rpg 0.4apg C: P.J. Brown 9.0ppg 8.1rpg 2.1apg <font size="4"> <font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font> NYK: Allan Houston NOH: Baron Davis, Jamal Magloire, Jamal Mashburn, Rodney Rogers <font size="4"> <font color="Green">Matchups:</font></font> PG: Stephon Marbury will be playing the sharpshooter David Wesley. He will have to play tough D throughout the entire game and keep that shot contained. Wesley will just get more confidence stroking the 3 and that will only create more space. Stephon Marbury's defense was not spectacular giving Earl Watson a career high with 23 points yesterday. Marbury has to give Wesley a hard time by his quickness. SG: Jamal Crawford will need to take advantage of this young guy Junior Harrington. I just hope he doesn't get carried away because he is playing a non-elite team. We don't need for him to be chucking up shots but we need for him to play smart basketball. I see no way Junior Harrington taking advantage of this one if Crawford plays like he is supposed to. SF: As Tribute to H2O said any time TT plays fairly decent basketball we end up losing. Let's just hope he plays alright defense because Lee Nailon is very capable on the offensive end. The last thing we want is for him to do is let Lee get confidence and spark a rally, lose our lead, and lose to a team who has a .063 winning percentage. PF: This Freije guy I think should not be taken advantage of. He has a little jumpshot to spread the floor a bit. Kurt Thomas' defense should keep him in check and if he has some miraculous game, JYD will put him in his place. C: I expect Nazr to have another good game. I think P.J. Brown has that much of an edge over some of Nazr's precious C's. I think Nazr's athleticism and quickness will really give Brown a hard time. Also Mohammed's ability to get to the line, and improve his freethrow shooting will give him even more of an edge <font color="DarkRed"><font size="4">Key Matchup:</font></font> I will say Wesley and Marbury the two leading scorers on their teams. Wesley's is their leader while Davis is out so they will rely on him. Wesley when left open will make you pay. Marbury's leadership and passing is also key for the Knicks and his decisions can easily effect a game. <font size="4"> My Predictions:</font> The hungry Knicks will give the Hornets a slaughter with a final score of 105-80. The main reason is due to Baron Davis, Mashburn Rogers and Magloire all being out which are four <font size="2">MAJOR</font> injuries for the Hornets. The Knicks are also seeking vengence from that terrible game vs. Memphis. Btw, It is great to be back! I was having cable problems and I have have a cable modem so I could not watch TV or go online. It almost felt I was banned from civilization. I haven't been around for about a week but, it feels way longer than that.
<font size="7">Halftime</font> Knicks 47 Hornets 32 <font color="DarkOrange"> <font size="4">Knicks Leading Scorers:</font></font> Nazr Mohammed: 12 Stephon Marbury: 7 Kut Thomas: 6 <font color="Blue"><font size="4"> Hornets Leading Scorers:</font></font> PJ Brown: 6 David Wesley: 6 Dan Dickau: 5 <font size="4"><font color="Red">Hot at the Half:</font></font> <font size="2">Nazr Mohammed</font> Nazr Mohammed again is having a great game so farwith 12 points and 5 rebounds. I think it is pretty safe to say now that this is a brand new Nazr. He had an emphatic rejection and had some good post moves. He is easily the hot at the half player. <font size="4">My Prediction:</font> Going better than I thought. I expected the game to be a blowout but, I thought it would have shown later. I hope we continue this. The defense is very good. But, it isn't something to get too happy about. We are playing a team that is 1-15.
How about Nazr Mohammad, honestly how well is he doing as a starting C. I do expect the New York Knicks to get back on track, and they have no reason not to, they are playing the New Orleans Hornets! I hope Stephon Marbury can get a double / double tonight, anyways we'll see .... New York Knicks 93 New Orleans Hornets 77
It's apparently not up to him when he plays, the NY Post said he'll likely make his debut against the Wizards on Friday.
