<div align="center"> -VS- <font color="Purple">Sacramento Kings</font> (18-9) @ <font color="Orange">The New York Knicks</font> (16-4) TIME & LOCATION Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Tue, Jan 4, 2005 07:30 PM <font color="Purple">The Sacramento Kings Lineup</font> FRONT COURT: C: BRAD MILLER - PF: CHRIS WEBBER - SF: PEJA STOJAKOVIC BACK COURT: PG: MIKE BIBBY - SG: DOUG CHRISTIE KEY RESERVE: F: DARIUS SONGAILA (5.8 PPG & 3.8 RPG in 17 MPG) HEAD COACH: RICK ADELMAN (680 W - 416 L) 7th Season With SACRAMENTO <font color="red">KINGS INJURY REPORT:</font> G: Bobby Jackson (ligament tear in left wrist) -------------------------------------- <font color="Orange">The New York Knicks Lineup:</font> FRONT COURT: C: NAZR MOHAMMED - PF: KURT THOMAS - SF: TIM THOMAS BACK COURT: PG: STEPHON MARBURY - SG: ALLAN HOUSTON KEY RESERVE: F: MIKE SWEETNEY (7.6 PPG & 4.3 RPG in 16.5 MPG) HEAD COACH: LENNY WILKENS (1331 W - 1147 L) 2nd Season with NEW YORK <font color="red">THE KNICKS INJURY REPORT:</font> G: Jamal Crawford (Right Turf Toe) G: Anfernee Hardaway (Hamstring) -------------------------------------- LAST MEETING: February 24th, 2004 (Last Season) <font color="red"> THE KNICKS 30 - 22 - 26 - 21 -- 99 FINAL SACRAMENTO 35 - 20 - 23 - 29 -- 107 </font> NOTABLE MENTIONS: NYK - Tim Thomas: 33 Points SAC - Mike Bibby: 28 Points SAC - Vlade Divac: 14 Pts, 9 Asts, 7 Rebs SAC - Peja Stojakovic: 27 Points SAC: C.Webber & B.Miller: DNPS TEAM PERCENTAGES: SAC: FG .488, FT .947, 3PT .440 NYK: FG .477, 3PT 1.00, FT .375. REBOUNDS: SAC: 39, NYK: 41. ASSISTS: SAC: 26, NYK:24. TURNOVERS: SAC: 15, NYK:13. Attendance: 17,317 Time of Game: 2:03. Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Michael Smith, Scott Wall -------------------------------------- PLAYERS TO WATCH PEJA STOJAKOVIC & STEPHON MARBURY</div> Heading into Tuesday Night's showdown, Point Guard Stephon Marbury has posted three straight 30+ point performances. However, Stephon Marbury and his New York Knicks dropped their last game against New Jersey, following comments in which Stephon boasted to be "The Best" Point Guard amongst the league. The Knicks are 10-5 inside Madison Square Garden, and Stephon is coming off his first Home 30 Point Performance this season after dropping 32 points and 11 assists to knock off The Timberwolves at the start of their current home stretch. Peja Stojakovic heads into Madison Square Garden Tuesday, and this should certainly bring a smile to his face. Peja currently ranks 4th amongst the league in 3 Point Field Goal made, and New York has shown their inability to defend the perimeter as opponents are shooting .361% from long distance (25th In The NBA). Look for plenty of back screens for Peja, and plenty of catch and shoot opportunities in New York. KjX3's PREDICTION I'm hoping Peja can find his touch from long range against New York, and I'm expected to see a high scoring contest. An obvious issue of concern would be the absence of Bobby Jackson. With Stephon Marbury as hot, and as motivated as he is, defense and pressure on him will certainly be key. However, I'm expecting no disappointment from Starbury. Knowing Sacramento lacks a shot blocking presense, look for Marbury to go inside early and often to open up his game. I'm predicting another game to chalk up in the streak, 30 points and 10+ assists. With Sacramento lacking depth as Bobby Jackson falls to injury, and the red hot Stephon Marbury being inside Madison Square Garden, I'm looking at a close game. 101-99 F - Sacramento
I think it would be a good idea to "D" Christie up on Marbury. DC is our best shut-down defender, and I think he has the best chance of shutting down Steph. I have no problem with Bibby moving over to Houston because I've seen Houston play recently, and he looks like he's playing hurt. He's got no life in his legs, and I don't think he could truly take advantage of the height advantage. Besides, Houston doesn't do much moving without the ball, so all Bibby has to do is stay close. That's how I would set it up to start off at least. I think the Kings will have no problems winning this game. I'll take them by 12.
The Sacramento Kings have not won a game at Madison Square Garden since Rick Adleman was the head coach, since Bibby, Webber, Christie and Peja have been Kings. This will end on tuesday. Kings by 9.
i think the kings will win no doubt. i dont think the knicks can compete with the kings since they already lost to dallas on large margain.
Great preview King James! The Knicks aren't that bad of a team,there the Alantic division leaders in the East division,however it's a pretty weak division in my opinon(sorry,just my opinon).I Do foresee us winning the game on tuesday,so it will be a good road win for us. Kings 98 Knicks 86
The game starts in just a few minutes, I'm real interested to see if The Kings can get things rolling again after perhaps their biggest win of the season against San Antonio on Sunday Night, or If the recent news of Bobby Jackson's wrist forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season will wear on them. Should be interesting....
You guys have not had much success at the garden for the last couple of years. I really don't know who gets this game. Obviously the Kings are a better team but, that whole MSG thing comes into play as well so it should be a very evenly matched game. The Knicks have had a bad taste in thier mouth because of that stinking fluke by the Nets. We will see who wins. This is definitely an exciting game and the Knicks are fighting for a lot trying to hold their streak up and all. Let's see what's really good with both of these teams.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sactomofo:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sacramento Kings have not won a game at Madison Square Garden since Rick Adleman was the head coach, since Bibby, Webber, Christie and Peja have been Kings. This will end on tuesday. Kings by 9.</div> Why do I get the feeling that you say that every season? You could be right this time though although I doubt it. The Kings bench is extremely thin whereas the Knicks bench is a large part of the Knicks do. Kurt Thomas defends the powerforward position very well so Chris Webber I think will be contained. Bibby is going to have one long night. No matter who he plays defense on. Marbury will simply outplay him or Houston will take advantage of his size and height in the post. Truth to be told I'm expecting a good game out of Houston. He hasnt been playing well and he's going to be aggressive. If Peja gives TT problems(which he wont since he isnt quicker than TT and wont have the height advantage that he's used to), we can just throw in our best perimeter defender,Ariza, on him to cool him down. The Kings dont really have a serious advantage at any position except powerforward perhaps and that's the position I feel we defend best. The game will be a high scoring one. The starters match up well but when the 2nd unit comes that's when problems for the Kings will arise. The Knicks bench will win the game. That's just my opinion though. The game is about to begin. By the way the Knicks have lost only one game to the West, at home, so far this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By the way the Knicks have lost only one game to the West so far this season.</div> You mean at home right?
Haha,Tribute H20 makes it sounds like it will be no problem for the knicks.No not biased at all.Im finally going to set the records straight for you guys doing the previews,the kings are 19-9.Yall have been a game behind for awhile with their record.Kings front court > Knicks front court.Also i think Evans will get significant minutes to take defensive pressure off of bibby and christie.Lastly,the knicks home record against the west is an overrated stat as the only GOOD team theyve beaten is Minnesota,who are slumpng so far this season just like last year.96-91 kings.
^What you failed to mention GiantMidget, is that the Kings are I believe 1-17 at the Garden. So, Tribute has a legit point. It will be an easier task for beating the Kings than at Arco. The Knicks are currently down by 13 and can easily make a run. The Knicks are known for making runs the question is, will the run be succesful.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Haha,Tribute H20 makes it sounds like it will be no problem for the knicks.No not biased at all.Im finally going to set the records straight for you guys doing the previews,the kings are 19-9.Yall have been a game behind for awhile with their record.Kings front court > Knicks front court.Also i think Evans will get significant minutes to take defensive pressure off of bibby and christie.Lastly,the knicks home record against the west is an overrated stat as the only GOOD team theyve beaten is Minnesota,who are slumpng so far this season just like last year.96-91 kings.</div> Who's being biased? Everything I said is true. The Kings simply havent won in Madison Square Garden for a LONG time. Now your right about our record against the West. You failed to mention the Kings record. Before their win against the Spurs their last win against a team that's was over .500 was in the beginning of November. The Kings frontcourt is better but its not an overwhelming advantage. Chris Webber isnt moving the way he used to and Peja has a hard time creating his own shot(he's not a good defender either). To be honest Evans doesnt scare anyone. Yes he will score some points but he's not that big of a deal. By the way how about the Denver Nuggets? We beat them when they were healthy and hot. Do they count? Knicks are down by 13 and there's another half to play. I do think the Knicks will win this game by 7. We shall see soon.
Good game guys. As you can see Lenny is a joke, and Tim Thomas is a bum so, I'm sorry to hurt your entertainment with watching some NBA worsts.
A nice win for the Kings. I thought that they were about to choke in the 3rd quarter but they showed some resolve and pulled it out. Next up, Toronto.
Kings win 105 98 Webber lead the Kings in scoring and picked up a double double with 22pts and 11rbs, While Stojakovic put in 21. Evans had a monster game off the bench going 7 of 9 for an NBA career high 16pts. The resulting box score doesnt even begin to show what he brings to the game when he is in... instant energy AND he can play above the rim offensivly and defensivly. Great way to start the road trip off for the kings who, by the way, have not won in NY since '96 when Mitch Richmond started for the Kings. This was a game that could have easily gotten away from the Kings late in the game when the Knicks had taken the lead in the third. But they were able to work through the third thanks to Stojakovic keeping it close during that stretch. Bibby also looked really good in the first and second quarter making some great assists and making some great shots.
Good to see the kings keep up their effort after beating the Spurs.I realized the kings lack of success at MSG the past few years,i only didnt mention it because it was already pointed out.Only spoke up because H20 was making it sound like a no brainer win for the knicks,as if it would be an upset if they didnt win.Evans has stepped up quite nicely so far and the kings bench doesnt look as bleak as it once did.Ostertag had 10 boards in 12 minutes!Yeesh...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Ostertag had 10 boards in 12 minutes!Yeesh...</div>OOF! I forgot the Tag Stat Watch!! 2 for 2 from the floor 10rbs (2 offensive, 8 defensive) 1bs 0to and 2pf with a grand total of 4pts GO TAG GO!!!
Great game for the Kings last night. Finally after so many years we get a road win at the Big Apple@MSG.Webber was the best player as usual,and Peja and Miller put on great efforts to.it was almost scary to see us almost lose in the 3rd quarter,but granted we got our act together,and got the win at the end of the game. Overall,not a bad game,but we need to stop blowing leads,and get some decent defensive efforts.once we do that,games like this could have been won by a larger margin.
