New York Knicks Pregame News and Notes vs. Charlotte Hornets
The New York Knicks will be right back at it Friday night to attempt and get the sour taste of their mouths from their loss Thursday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks will be traveling to Charlotte to take on the struggling Hornets for the second time this season. Here are a couple of things to watch for in the game tonight.
Matchup of the Game: Kemba Walker vs. Jose Calderon
Thus far this season, Walker has struggled a bit. His scoring numbers are down because of a drop in shooting percentages, and are part of the reason the Hornets are struggling as much as the Knicks. But with how badly Kyrie Irving torched the Knicks last night, Walker might see that and be super aggressive tonight and try to do the same thing. That means Calderon needs to step up. He had a down game last night, but had put together a strong string of games prior to that as he continues to work his way back from a calf injury that sidelined him to start the season.
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-Who Starts Tonight?
Amar’e Stoudemire thrived last night in the starting lineup, as did Quincy Acy starting at power forward. That may not be a lineup that is capable of being started against the Hornets though, as someone needs to guard Al Jefferson. Asking Stoudemire to do that for the length of the game is a tall task, as his defensive shortcomings is no secret. Derek Fisher may elect to go back to his normal starting lineup, with Calderon and Iman Shumpert in the backcourt, Carmelo Anthony at small forward, Stoudemire or Acy at power forward and Samuel Dalembert at center.
-Will Strong Play Continue For Bench Duo?
Against the Cavaliers J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. put together their strongest games in a length of time. Both scored the ball efficiently, which had been a problem for the Knicks’ shooting guards in the previous games. Against the Cavaliers, the two combined to make 5-10 from the three-point line. If they can provide a scoring punch off the bench, the Knicks can comfortably start Stoudemire alongside Anthony to give him the scoring help he needs in the starting lineup.
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-Can Melo Get on Track?
Since missing two games because of back spasms, Anthony has shot the ball abysmally for the Knicks, making only 22-67 from the field. That equals putrid 32.8 shooting percentage, which actually looks outstanding compared to his 3-18, or 16.7 percent, he’s shot from the three-point line. It killed the Knicks against the Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets, when he made only 11-41 from the field. Will he get it going against a Hornets team that he scored 28 points on 12-22 shooting in the first meeting of the game?