<font color="darkorange">New York Knicks(13-27)</font> vs. <font color="blue">Orlando Magic (18-22)</font> Madison Square Garden, New York Friday, Jan. 27th 7:30pm, MSG, Sunshine, NBALP <div align="center"> vs. </div> <font size="2">After getting excited about the progress in the New Year, I, and the rest of the Knick nation have witnessed six straight losses from the Knicks? So, what progress did they make in the new year? Absolutely none. Well, at least they are .500. Coming into the year they were .333. So, going up against a hot Magic team, will the Knicks make it seven straight losses or will they give us some hope?</font> [div=50%] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="Blue">Orlando Magic </font></div></font> Projected Starters <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_francis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">PG ?Steve Francis</font> 16.3ppg, 5.8apg, 43.3%fg Francis, who has been the subject of many trade rumors comes off a career high15 assist game over the Philly 76ers. Francis is a good scorer, but he can?t shoot?his points mostly come off drives and from the free throw line. I would feel comfortable leaving the 21% three-point shooter open many times from the perimeter. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/deshawn_stevenson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">SG ? DeShawn Stevenson </font> 11.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.1apg Can you believe he was compared to Michael Jordan by NBADraft.net? Nowadays who isn?t? Anyway, he?s averaging a career high 12 points and shooting 45% from the field with a majority of his shots coming close to the hoop. He?s athletic and has a lot of hops, so whoever guards him must be aware. FrontCourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/hidayet_turkoglu.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">SF ? Hedo Turkoglu </font> 13.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.2apg He?s pretty much a one-dimensional shooter, but those are the exact type of players that give the Knicks problems. As a 39% shooter from behind the arc, he obviously spreads the floor out a lot for Francis to drive and Howard to do his thing in the paint. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_battie.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">C ?Tony Battie </font> 7.8ppg, 6.1rpg, 0.5apg Battie doesn?t provide much offense to the Magic, but the Knicks have no problem making a big man look like KG with their type of defense. Battie is a good defender and at 6?11? has very good size for a center. He?s started all 40 games for the Magic this season. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwight_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="blue">PF ? Dwight Howard </font> 15.2ppg, 12.6rpg, 1.5apg Without a doubt, Howard is the best big man Orlando has had since Shaq. While he won?t be as dominant as Shaq, I know this superstar destined big man will be the face of the NBA in a couple of years. I wonder how he?ll be at age 25? For such a young?n, he?s first in the league in rebounds per game and is a fantastic defender. I wish he was a Knick. <u>Keys To Game</u> <font color="blue">Three-Point Goals:</font> Last meeting at the Garden, the Magic took complete advantage of the Knicks? awful perimeter defense. With Turkoglu, Garrity, and Nelson spotting up from downtown, you have to imagine how many open looks they?ll get. <font color="blue">Close out the Games:</font> If you leave the door open long enough, the Knicks will find a way to win the game. The Suns game was a good example. Once the door is closed, lock it! That?s the only way the Magic will win? or if the Knicks don?t play defense. [/div] <font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font> Who the hell knows what slot machine starting lineup the Knicks will have today? <div align="center"> </div> Backcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG ? Nate Robinson</font> 9.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.9apg Nate needs to stay consistent in this match-up. Going up against Francis might get the energy juices flowing in his veins, but he needs to stay focused, out of foul trouble, and not listen to the crowd. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG ? Stephon Marbury </font> 19.0ppg, 6.9apg, 3.4pg After missing three straight games with a sprained shoulder, Marbury looked like he didn?t miss a beat. He?s still scoring well and leading the team nicely. We didn?t win, but I liked what I saw out of Marbury, especially considering the injury. Hopefully we?ll see something similar today. Frontcourt [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quentin_richardson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF ? Quentin Richardson </font> 7.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.4apg He played well against the Kings. At this stage, ?well? means get a couple of points shoot efficiently and snag some rebounds. I wonder what?s going on with him. We didn?t give up Kurt Thomas and his 11/10 for Richardson?s 7/3 on 35% shooting. At least we got Nate. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C ? Eddy Curry </font> 14.7ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.0bpg Last time in Orlando, Curry dominated with 29 points and 9 rebounds in only 20-something minutes. If he can do this again and play say, 35 minutes, I really think the Knicks will actually give themselves a chance to win. We need Curry to step up. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/maurice_taylor.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF ? Maurice Taylor</font> 6.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 51% fg Maurice Taylor has been great this season. He?s rebounding the ball much better, has some incredible post moves, and on defense he?s drawing charges. Isiah got a lot of criticism for this move, but I actually like it. Moochie Norris and Vin Baker could never do this. <u>Keys To The Game</u> <font color="darkorange">Perimeter Defense:</font> Every preview will have defense as a key to the game until the Knicks prove they can play it. In the Garden about a month ago, Pat Garrity looked like Dirk Nowitzki and the Magic poured down three after three. Unless the Knicks put a roof over their head, it will continue to rain. <font color="darkorange">Game Closing:</font> The Kings beat them because the Knicks didn?t close out the game well. In order to prevent a seventh straight loss, the Knicks must thoroughly close out the game on their home floor. Prediction: Post them below.
Orlando is Hot right now I say that they will win by 12, Dwight will be huge I don't think there is anyone New York has that can guard him. Francis is spreading the ball well and hedo is taking the ball to the hoop strong and scoring well. Deshawn will play his usual lock down defense and stop starbury. It should be fun to watch.
I dont see the Knicks winning this game. Howard is going to eat us up for lunch in the paint. He's going to take advantage of everyone we send to guard him and kill us on the boards. Steve Francis will also have his way with the Knicks backcourt. Those two will lead the Magic to another win and a seventh straight Knick loss.
As strange as it seems, I actually think the Knicks will win this one. I just feel it. I think Brown rubbed it in their faces the fact they made absolutely no progress in 2006.
