This game is crucial for both teams. The Knicks and Nets are in 10th and 9th place respectively and are only separated by a single. This is especially important for the Knicks since they play the Heat - who have the 8th seed - tommorow. If the Knicks win today and tommorow, they will have possession of 8th place. Despite their convincing victory over the Kings on Friday, New Jersey hasn't shown the ability to sustain their momentum as their 4-6 record shows. Last meeting they played in the Garden was decided in the last 10 seconds with two lead changes in a game-winning tip-in.
Some of the keys to the game for the Nets:
- Lock down the paint: The Nets don't have anyone who can stop Curry indiviually so they have to make quick rotations since Curry has learned to pass out of the double teams. Despite averaging only 0.8 assists per game, Curry gets many "hockey assists".
- Force turnovers: The Knicks give up many points off turnovers and it is often the main reason why they are down big so early on.
- Box Out: the Knicks are one of the best rebounding teams in the league and thrive on the offensive glass. The Nets will have to really look to reduce second chance buckets when David Lee is in the game.
- Close out the game. Many times the Knicks are faced with leads which appear to be insurmountable, but a run for them is inevitable as the last meeting showed.
