Losers in 9 of their last 11 games, the New York Knicks continue to spiral downward following a season in which they won 54 regular season games while claiming the franchise’s first Atlantic Division crown since the 1993-1994 campaign. Struggling to find consistency on both ends of the floor while possessing inadequacies when it comes to closing out games, the Knicks currently find themselves 5 ½ games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with only 25 games remaining in the season.
The road to resurfacing and becoming relevant again certainly won’t be easy, especially since New York is slated to meet up with the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat in their next outing following a grueling last-second loss to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the strong individual effort of Carmelo Anthony – who is averaging over 28 points and 8 rebounds per game this season – Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has been questioned regarding the amount of minutes his star scorer is receiving, with many feeling that Anthony is overworked throughout the game, lowering his ability to be effective in late-game situations.
Knowing that each game becomes more and more important as the regular season ticks down, the former Atlanta Hawks coach says he needs ‘Melo on the floor in crucial situations because his team cannot afford anymore silly losses. “For us, right now, I’ve gotta play him because again, there’s just no room for error,” Woodson said recently. “We’re trying to make the playoffs, man. So when I can rest him I will rest him. If I can’t, I gotta play him and I think he understands that. He’s never really complained and I’ve got to watch in this trench.”
While New York looks to get out of a significant funk, the Miami Heat hope to extend their five-game win streak Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena in South Beach. Though Miami has been hot from the field throughout the season – eighth in the league in scoring with over 104 points per clip – the return of LeBron James should only help elevate Miami’s explosiveness. James suffered a broken nose in the Heat’s recent victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and was forced out of the champs’ most recent win over the Chicago Bulls but with another important game on the line, the four-time League MVP will be ready to go.
“I've been talking to Marvel Comics for the last couple of days, and DC Comics, to try to come up with one of the greatest masks of all time," James said jokingly about the protective mask he’ll wear Thursday night. "So we'll see what happens. It lessens the impact. You can still feel it, because the nose is still tender. But it definitely lessens the pain.”
Game Note
Knicks guard Raymond Felton, who was arrested Tuesday morning in New York City after his estranged wife turned his gun over to police, will play in Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat. Felton was charged with second, third and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon but after posting $25,000 bail, the former University of North Carolina standout is able to resume basketball duties.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO
DATE: Thursday, Feb. 27
TIME: 8 p.m. ET
TV COVERAGE: TNT
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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