New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks Will Both Be Missing Key Players

TheNew York Knickswill be opening up their 2015-16 season tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive season, they will be without a player in their projected starting five. Last season it wasJose Calderon, this time around it isArron Afflalo.

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Afflalo, whom the Knicks signed in the offseason away from the Portland Trail Blazers, was expected to be the starting shooting guard. His ability to play both ends of the court, and familiarity withCarmelo Anthony, were up high on the list of reasons the Knicks pursued him this offseason. He could help cover up some of the problems that Calderon has defensively, while also taking pressure off Anthony offensively. He showed that repertoire in his limited preseason minutes, as he can post up and knock down jump shots effectively.

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Unfortunately, the Knicks will have to wait to see that in games that count. Afflalo could miss two weeks with the injury, as they want to make sure he is 100 percent healthy before getting back on the court. Tonight,Sasha Vujacicwill replace Afflalo in the starting lineup. It is a decision that can be debated, as Vujacic and Calderon as a starting backcourt leaves a lot of be desired.

That is probably the biggest loss for the Knicks, as their rotation will be out of whack a bit until Afflalo comes back. But, he will not be the only player to miss tonight’s game. The Knicks will be a little shorthanded in the front court as well, withKevin SeraphinandLou Amundsonalso likely out.

While Seraphin and Amundson were not expected to be big parts of the rotation, it is still unfortunate to be lacking depth. The Knicks have plenty of players to soak up minutes at power forward and center though, as they can always shift Anthony over there, or give some more minutes toKristaps Porzingis. Kyle O’Quinn should get all of the backup minutes at center he can handle.

The Knicks will be catching a bit of a break though, as the Bucks are also missing a couple of players. Shooting guard and sixth manO.J. Mayowill miss the season opener with a hamstring injury. The Bucks will also be without arguably their best player inGiannis Antetokounmpo, who will serve a league mandated suspension for a foul he committed in the 2015 postseason.

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That is a huge break for the Knicks, who may struggle to slow players down on the perimeter without Afflalo in the lineup, but now the Bucks will be without two of their better perimeter players.

This will be a good measuring stick for the Knicks even with all of the players missing the game, as the Bucks are one of the up-and-coming teams in the Eastern Conference, and a team they could be battling for a playoff spot with in April.

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