New York versus Atlanta

[Mr. J]

<font color="red">Atlanta Hawks (9-24)</font> at <font color="darkorange">New York Knicks (12-21)</font>
Madison Square Garden, New York
Friday, Jan. 13th
7:30pm, MSG, WPXA, NBALP

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<font size="2">The Knicks are still undefeated in the year 2006 and look to continue their streak against the struggling Atlanta Hawks. After an impressive home win at the Garden versus the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks have never looked back. Will they overlook the Atlanta Hawks or will they make it six in a row.</font>

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<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="red">Atlanta Hawks</font></div></font>
Projected Starters

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Backcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/royal_ivey.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PG ?Royal Ivey </font>
3.2ppg, 0.9apg, 50.0%fg
Harlem stand up! My son, Royal Ivey is starting the game and we know what to expect from him. He?s 6?3? a strong 200 pounds and can take to the basket at will. He might give Nate Robinson some trouble in this game, so he?ll have to watch out.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/joe_johnson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="RED">SG ?Joe Johnson </font>
18.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.4apg
So, why did he want to leave Phoenix again, the team with the NBA?s reining MVP and coach of the year? Oh yeah, that?s right, to join the 9-24 Hawks. His 18.8 points per game will have to be contained to that. Last time Johnson had 36 points against the Knicks with him tying his career of 6 three-point baskets made. Doubling Johnson is out of the question because just like this Johnson, Joe is a very good passer and can always find the open man.

FrontCourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/josh_smith.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SF ? Josh Smith</font>
9.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.2apg
The Slam Dunk champ is obviously an explosive leaper, but can be contained forcing him to shoot jumpers. Josh Smith?s doesn?t have a jumper, so he can be left alone from three-point range. When he drives, it will be up to the charging regulars to draw someone Smith, an excellent defender.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/zaza_pachulia.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">C ?Zaza Pachulia </font>
11.4ppg, 8.8rpg, 1.6apg
Who would rather be paying him 30 million instead of Jerome James? Unless you?re his mother, you can all put your hands up. Pachulia is a very good rebounder and defender and is only about 22-years-old. What a catch, especially for a second rounder. He?s also capable of running the floor so the Knicks bigs will have to thoroughly read the scouting report of this man.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/al_harrington.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PF ? Al Harrington </font>
Zeke coached him back in Indiana, so Harrington might be rumored to come here. Then again, who isn?t rumored coming here? Harrington is a match-up problem because at 6?9?, he has the handle of a guard and has a decent shooting touch. Last meeting the Knicks made Harrington look like Allan Houston as he rained down three-pointers. The weird part about it is Harrington is a 28.5% career three-point shooter.

<u>Keys To Game</u>

<font color="Red">Confidence:</font> They beat the Knicks before, so they should come with the same attitude we can beat them again. Although the Knicks have won 5 straight against some tough teams and are seeking revenge, confidence is the difference maker.

<font color="red">Rebounding </font> The Hawks are a very undersized team and are currently 24th in the league in rebounds per game. The Knicks are second, only slightly behind the Clippers, in rebounding. The Hawks can illafford to be on the road giving the opposition too many second chance opportunities.

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<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font>
Projected Starters

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Backcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG ? Nate Robinson</font>
8.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.8apg
Nate struggled a bit during the Dallas game, but his effort was there as usually. In fact, the little guy had a career high in rebounds with 8. His energy will be needed to deflate any sort of confidence the Hawks might gain in the game. He might struggle going up against Ivey, though.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG ? Stephon Marbury</font>
18.9ppg, 6.8apg, 3.4rpg
Marbury had another great game against Dallas. He played good defense and understood when we needed him for scoring. Joe Johnson at 6?8? could easily give Marbury some problems, but Marbury hasn?t let his height disadvantage faze him so far. Will this be the night it affects him for the first time? Neh?.

Frontcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF ? David Lee</font>
4.8ppg, 4.5rpg, 0.7apg
Perhaps a possible dunk contest match-up, Lee and Smith are two high risers that cannot be left alone. You just never know when one will slam down a put back. Lee might have the rebounding advantage over Smith, but Smith has the speed over the newly transformed small forward. I?m always interested to see what Lee has to bring to the table and so far he?s never disappointed me.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C ? Eddy Curry </font>
14.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0bpg
Despite Pachulia being a good defender, he doesn?t have what it takes to deal with Curry in the low post. I don?t want Curry to just drop 14 points on him; I want Curry to dominate this game because of Atlanta?s lack of size and exploit how shallow they are in the middle. Curry?s been impressing day by day. We?ll see if he continues his streak.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF ? Antonio Davis</font>
4.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 0.29bpg
Davis had a very good game against the Mavericks. He rebounded well, gave us many second chance opportunities with 6 offense rebounds, and kept Nowitzki in check for the last two minutes of the extra period. Hopefully he can duplicate such a performance, so the Knicks won?t trade him for Francis at the deadline.

<u>Keys To The Game</u>

<font color="darkorange">Perimeter Defense:</font> We were murdered by the Hawks from three-point range. Harrington, who isn?t a three-point shooter, had a feast from downtown. Joe Johnson had a career high six three?s and both dropped 30+ points on us. Defense will be the key to this.

<font color="darkorange">Maintain Dominance:</font> We took care of the Suns, the Wizards, the Sonics, and the Mavericks at home. It will be a shame if we lose to a struggling Hawks team with the NBA?s worst record. The Knicks must get a big lead and sustain it against them.

Prediction: Post them below.

 

[j0se]

Great game thread...We're very lucky to have you as head of this forum

 

[Ewings2ndcousin]

Yes I love the game threads each night....Great Job.

Game Update...early but Nate Robinson is on fire! Driving all thru Atlanta's weak defense and hittin like all of his jumpers! 24-14 2:50 left in the 1st.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game thread...We're very lucky to have you as head of this forum</div>
Thanks, you guys are why I do this!

 

[Midnight Green]

The Hawks are holding there own right now looks like another close finish in New York. If it comes down to the final minutes I think the Knicks will be at a distinct advantage over the Hawks. The Knicks just have to many weapons on the offensive end for a less than incredible Hawks defense to contain. Crawford has been scoring at will tonight.

 

[Mr. J]

Like Kenny Smith said, this difference between good teams and bad teams is their ability to finish out games. The Hawks are a pesky young team that won't go away too easily, but their youth and inexperience worked against them as they weren't able to stay in the game the last 5 minutes. Toronto will be the same way on Sunday. The Knicks will need to continue bringing their A game and not take anyone lightly.

 

[Ewings2ndcousin]

105-94...Knicks stay undefeated in 2k6!!!

Kudos to Hawks for keeping it close but the big young bodies of NY was too much for them. Crawford was great off the bench scoring and I like how Fry handled his own against Al Harrington. (even tho he missed an uncontested dunk). Knicks handled every little run the Hawks tried to put up and just did a great job tonight.

 

[rookie789]

i like what you said about royal ivey, lol another product from cardozo hs just like daryll hill...... and another win for the knicks, this is some good stuff we need to keep it up