Knicks Pregame Preview

Knicks Pregame Preview vs. Utah Jazz; November 14th, 2014

Check out the recap from the Knicks’ last game HERE

The New York Knicks will be back at it Friday night against the Utah Jazz for the third game in their four-game homestand. The Knicks will be looking to end their six-game losing streak in the process. It has been a bumpy ride thus far, but the Knicks are staying positive and continuing to work things out and turn things around. Here are some news, notes and things to watch for when the Knicks and Jazz tip-off Friday night.

Matchup to Watch: Alec Burks vs. Iman Shumpert

Mar 9, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Alec Burks (10) takes a shot over New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 113-84. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Burks and Shumpert are both from the 2011 NBA Draft, as Burks was selected 12th by the Jazz and Shumpert went 17th to the Knicks. Both are super-athletic guards who can provide a highlight play on any given night. The two of them should be matched up throughout the night as each can be moved around the lineup to run point guard or even play small forward in a pinch. It is still early on, but both are also in the midst of a breakout season. Whoever outplays the other could have a big impact on the outcome of the game.

-What Will The Rotation Look Like?

So far this season, guessing the Knicks rotation is as easy as guessing the winning numbers for the lottery; it just doesn’t happen often. Derek Fisher has already started eight different players, with Carmelo Anthony, Samuel Dalembert and Shumpert being the only three to start every game. Expect that to continue, with Shane Larkin at point. Whoever gets the power forward spot is a toss up right now, but best guess would be Quincy Acy, as they need a player to bang with Dalembert in the paint against Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.

As for the second unit, that is tougher to predict than the starting lineup. It is pretty safe to assume Pablo Prigioni and J.R. Smith will get their normal allotment of minutes in the backcourt with Jason Smith and Amar’e Stoudemire in the front. Everything after that is a toss up though, as Fisher went with Travis Wear over Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cleanthony Early Wednesday night.

-Free Throws

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Thus far this season, the Knicks have struggled getting to the foul line. They average 15.4 free throw attempts per game, last in the NBA. The Utah Jazz don’t rank much higher, as they are 22nd in the NBA at 22.3 attempts per game. Will those trends continue Friday night? As proven in plenty of the Knicks’ games this season, the free throw line is where they lose games. They have to figure out a way to close that gap or they will continue losing close games. So far this season Knicks’ opponents have shot an average of 28.1 free throws per game. That is almost 13 possible freebies the Knicks are giving their opponents that they are not getting. That has to change.

-Defending The Perimeter

The Knicks perimeter defense thus far this season has lacked at times. The outlying numbers look good for the Knicks, as they are giving up 98.2 points per game, ranked 13th in the NBA, and 15th in opponent’s shooting percentage at 45 percent. The problem for the Knicks lies on the perimeter, as they are allowing an NBA worst 42.3 percent from the three-point line. The Jazz are shooting 31.3 percent from beyond the arc thus far this season, ranked 25th in the NBA. Something has to give, and it will be a determining factor in who comes out with the win Friday night.

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