The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are back at it tonight as both teams try to stop their disastrous starts. The Knicks tip off at 8 pm EST in Atlanta on ESPN when they take on the Hawks. The Nets start a 3-game west coast swing as they take on the Sacramento Kings at 10 pm EST on YES Network.
While it is no secret, both the Knicks and the Nets have gotten off to disappointing starts to the 2013-14 NBA Season. With high expectations comes tremendous pressure, especially in a city named New York, New York.
Remember the whole talk before the season started of which borough will be contending with the Heat and Pacers for an Eastern Conference Championship and so forth? The season is not even 10 games old, and already the Knick fans have booed, jeer-fully cheered and even chanted ‘Fire Woodson’, while the $190 million experiment in Brooklyn has not lived up to anyone’s expectations. There is still plenty of time to ‘right the ship’ for both teams before they dig themselves too big a whole to climb out of.
The Nets can start with an easily winnable game tonight against the Kings. They cannot afford to take the Kings lightly as they are 0-3 on the road and 2-4 overall coming into tonight’s match-up. This is simply a game the Nets need to have not only for the sake of the standings, but more importantly to boost the overall morale of the team. A loss in Sacramento could cause drastic repercussions as Owner Mikhail Prokohrov has illustrated through his spending spree that he will not stand for mediocrity. Look for a healthy Deron Williams and struggling a Kevin Garnett to come up big and guide the guys in the locker room to their first road win of the season.
The Knicks also have a winnable game in Atlanta. The Hawks are averaging the 6th most points per game (104.7) and are 23rd in points allowed per game (102.1). The Knicks come into tonight’s match-up 25th in the league in points per game (93.0) and are 10th in points allowed per game (97.8). The Knicks won their last road game 101-91 to the Charlotte Bobcats, and look for them to duplicate the effort on the defensive end and rebounds if they want to compete with the Hawks. It will not be an easy one, but the if the Knicks play up to the level they are capable of they should sneak out of Atlanta with their second road win of the season.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY