New York vs. Cleveland

[Mr. J]

*made by Knicks Analyst

Knicks 17-24

Cavaliers 25-16

<font size="3">
Date: 1/28/05
Time 7:00
TV: MSG, ESPN</font>

<font size="4">Season Stats</font>

Previous Games:
Knicks: 133-118L vs Suns
Suns: 115-113W vs Grizzlies

Knicks
Record: 17-24 (.415)
Standings: Fourth, Atlantic 10th seed in the Eastern Conference
At Home: 11-10
On Road: 6-13

PPG: 96.0 Opp PPG: 98.6
FG%: .443 Opp FG%: .465
RPG: 41.1 Opp RPG: 42.3

Cavaliers:
Record: 25-16 (.610)
Standings: First, Central 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference
At Home: 15-4
On Road: 10-12

PPG: 97.6 Opp PPG: 94.5
FG%: .457 Opp FG%: .443
RPG: 42.1 Opp RPG: 39.1

<font size="4">
<font color="DarkOrange">Knicks</font></font>
PG: Stephon Marbury
39.9mpg 20.5ppg 3.1rpg 8.5apg

SG: Jamal Crawford
36.9mpg 19.2ppg 2.9rpg 3.8apg 21

SF: Trevor Ariza
16.6mpg 5.8ppg 2.8rpg 1.8apg

PF: Kurt Thomas
36.7mpg 12.0ppg 9.7rpg 2.0apg

C: Nazr Mohammed
29.6mpg 11.8ppg 8.9rpg 0.4apg

<font size="3">Bench:</font>
Jerome Williams 17.5mpg 5.2ppg 3.9rpg 0.7apg

Penny Hardaway 22.0mpg 5.8ppg 2.5rpg 1.8apg

Vin Baker 7.9mpg 1.5ppg 1.6rpg 0.2apg

Bruno Sundov 3.9mpg 1.9ppg 0.6rpg 0.1apg

For more in depth statistics for the Knicks, here they are: Knicks Stats

<font size="4">
<font color="DarkRed">Cavaliers</font></font>
PG: Jeff McInnis
37.8mpg 15.0ppg 2.1rpg 5.3apg

SG:<font size="4">?</font>
LeBron James
41.2mpg 25.0ppg 7.4rpg 7.6apg

SF: Ira Newble
23.4mpg 5.9ppg 2.7rpg 1.1apg

PF: Drew Gooden
31.0mpg 14.4ppg 9.4rpg 1.4apg

C: Zydrunas Ilguaskas
33.1mpg 16.2ppg 7.7rpg 1.6apg

<font size="3">Bench</font>
Lucious Harris 17.4mpg 5.3ppg 2.2rpg 0.8apg

Robert Traylor 15.7mpg 4.5ppg 3.9rpg 0.8apg

Anderson Varejao 13.7mpg 4.4ppg 4.6rpg 0.3apg

Eric Snow 22.1mpg 4.5ppg 2.0rpg 3.8apg

Desagna Diop 10.8mpg 1.1ppg 2.6rpg 0.3apg

Aleksander Pavlovic 14.5mpg 3.6ppg 0.8rpg 0.1apg

For more in depth statistics for the Cavaliers, here they are: Cavaliers Stats


<font size="4">
<font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font>
<font color="DarkOrange">NYK:</font>Moochie Norris, Tim Thomas, Allan Houston
<font color="DarkRed">CLE:</font> LeBron James(?), Luke Jackson, Dajuan Wagner
<font size="4">
<font color="Green">Matchups:</font></font>

vs.

PG: Yet another PG that Marbury has to watch out for because of their prowess from beyond the arc. Stephon Marbury will be matched up against Jeff McInnis who was brought in to help LeBron James become more of a scorer and take the PG role off of him. With Marbury's less than decent defense, he will have to watchout for him tonight. Surprisingly Nash wasn't a factor and Marbury needs to take McInnis out of it as well.

vs.

SG: All of his defense will not be able to stop Crawford. He can make things tough for Jamal and can possibly be able to provoke him into taking those ill advised shots of his. If Crawford can mix up the game like what he did against Phoenix than we will have no trouble.

vs. <font size="4">?</font>

SF: Hopefully he's not playing because if he is, we are in for some trouble. Everything about him is self explanitory. He is the guard version of Kevin Garnett and will look to dominate especially in New Yokr on a nationally televised game. Look for James to take advantage. He is physically stronger than Ariza and can take it to him on the post easily. If he is gone, then we are in for a much, much, much bigger advantage.

vs.

PF: Kurt Thomas has trouble with elusive forwards like Drew Gooden. I don't see why Drew Gooden wont try and kill especially with the possibility of LeBron James gone. I see no big threat for us at this posistion though. We do defend this position the best. If he gets out of hand we have the X factor and our secret weapon. Woof, Woof who am I talking about? Jerome Williams can keep Drew Gooden in check.

vs.

C: Nazr Mohammed tends to struggle against the likes of players that are taller than him. Yao Ming and Zydrunaus Ilguaskas are all Nazr Mohammed's least favorite competition to play because of it. I see him with another struggling night however, we do have Vin Baker around and if things get really bad, I guess we can possibly throw in Sundov to keep him out the paint. I don't see Z giving it to us just having a regular game and nothing special.

<font size="3"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks Bench Summary</font></font>
We have back Penny Hardaway everyone! He will definitely be able to provide a spark for us off the bench. I see Penny Hardaway as being a key addition who everyone forgot about. Now playing at home Penny is eager to show why he is the missing link. I for one have not forgotten about him. Other than that, our bench still is missing Tim Thomas (decent off the bench), Allan Houston, and Moochie Norris. We are still kind of thin off the bench but, now that Hardaway is here, we don?t have to worry too much.


<font size="3"><font color="DarkRed">Cavaliers Bench Summary:</font></font>
Cleaveland has a decent bench with the acquisitions of Eric Snow and Lucious Harris. I think the Knicks bench is better because there is more of a balance. I feel as if the Knicks have to worry about the Cavaliers starters much more than their bench. But, their bench is capable of giving the starters sufficient rest so they can play fresh again. The Cavaliers bench is something not to be taken advantage of either. Lat time the bench killed us. Well the whole team did but, especially the bench. We need to watchout for them,

<font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font>
The Key Matchup is at the PG position.
Marbury

" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/knicks/marbury2_170_040106.jpg"></a> vs.

" target="_blank">http://www.nba.com/media/act_jeff_mcinnis.jpg"></a>McInnis
I went with them because of their presence. Stephon Marbury is trying to keep his word about that best PG in the league thing while McInnis is trying to get yet another win for Cleveland. Marbury?s penetration is key for the Knicks success while McInnis? 3 point shooting and leadership is key for the Cavaliers.


<font size="4">My Prediction:</font>
We got killed the last game. Now that we are at home on a ridiculous losing streak, the Knicks are bound to win and I feel now seeking revenge, will be a great way for them to get a victory. Because we are at home, and saw those Atlantic standings, I?m taking the Knicks by a final prediction of 105-85 simply because of the revenge factor. Also with LeBron?s injury questionable, we really have the upper hand.

<font color="RED"><font size="4">THIS GAME IS AT 7:00 NOT AT THE USUAL 7:30. IT IS ALSO NATIONALLY TELEVISED ON ESPN!!</font></font>

<font color="RED"><font size="2">REMEMBER THAT PENNY HARDAWAY IS PLAYING </font></font>

 

[KnicksUK]

We will lose this game, pretty much guaranteed.

Nice preview though.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

At this rate...we're going to get blown out. We're already in foul trouble and we arent in any type of rhythm. We need to get within single digits by halftime if we're to rally and win this game.

 

[Mr. J]

<font size="7">Halftime</font>
Knicks 44

Cavaliers 48

<font color="DarkOrange">
<font size="4">Knicks Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Jamal Crawford: FG's:6-12

Penny Hardaway: 8 FG's 3-5

Stephon Marbury: 8 FG's: 3-7

<font color="DarkRed"><font size="4">
Cavaliers Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Drew Gooden 13 FG's: 4-12

Jeff McInnis 8 FG's: 3-10

,

Zydrunas Ilguaksa 8 FG's: 2-7

<font size="4"><font color="Red">mrj18's Hot at the Half Player:</font></font>
<font size="2">Jamal Crawford</font>

He's doing it again. It's official Jamal Crawford is the leader of the New York Knicks.

Again he is the catalyst in key runs which determine whether we get blown out or not. Jamal Crawford has been hot since last game. We need his scoring punch to lead us especially since no one else is. Great first half from Jamal and hopefully he can continue like this.

<font size="4">My Prediction:</font>
Thanks to the heroics bu Jamal Crawford we have some new life. The question though is how long will it last. The Knicks may come out stagnent or they can come out with the fire and desire that we all need to see from them. Nothing spectacular but, I see us wining by a final score of 95-87. James is out we're at home and we have everything to fight for. Look for us to win this game. Btw, Penny's looking good for us. Go Knicks!!

 

[Mr. J]

Great 3rd quarter for us! We went to the line and the D was great! Even Bruno got in on th action! Let's keep it up and get a much needed win heading into the palace with confidence!

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

knicks got it up by 5 with 1.28 left

Cavs are nothing without Lebron

Knicks should win

 

[Mr. J]

Come on we're up by 1 with about 35 left let's not choke up (*cough* Jamal *cough* Marbury *cough*)

 

[Mr. J]

We win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sigh of relief!)

 

[Beat]

Cavs arent the greatest of teams without Lebron and we still barely win. Not the most impressive victory but a win is a win. and like i said before Ariza shouldn't be starting. Start Penny not Ariza

 

[Mr. J]

The gaem should have never come down to the wire like this even though Hardaway almost lost the game for us, he was very big for us. We were missing that from the bench. Vetran leadership and scoring. To tell you the truth, I was getting scared and I thought we were going to choke up. Or something like Robert Traylor from halfcourt beating us. This game should definitely give us some confience with the Raptors losing

and the Celtics down 10 with a minute left, it looks like we're back on track and only 1.0 game in back for the Atlantic division crown! We must've really had a lead if we lost all these games and are only a game behind. Let's go to Detroit with some confiidence and get a win. I hope so.

 

[Beat]

I can't see us leaving Detroit with a win. At all. Not even by a barrage of lucky shots. I wouldnt predict a win if Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups got injured AND Larry Brown had a stroke.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BobbyEscobar:</div><div class="quote_post">Cavs arent the greatest of teams without Lebron and we still barely win. Not the most impressive victory but a win is a win. and like i said before Ariza shouldn't be starting. Start Penny not Ariza</div>
Well let's also consider we don't have Houston, Tim (decent off the bench). Also if LeBron played we might have brought extra energy. We never know what can happen so, I wouldn't consider this win any less. That odor was funking up madison square garden so any win would be good for us. I understand where you're coming from though.

 

[TnNeG]

i told you mrj18! we win the cavs and we go on a 3 game winning streak!

 

[Penny]

Yes! Welcome back Penny Hardaway.

Hopefully this can get us back on track.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TNG Impact:</div><div class="quote_post">i told you mrj18! we win the cavs and we go on a 3 game winning streak!</div>
I knew we were wining TNG, but how do the Cavs go on a 3 game win streak? Lol

 

[Ming637]

Hehe, the Knicks really got on track from the second quarter and out. We were lucky to have Penny Hardaway on that possesion to make it by 3 and we were also lucky to see LeBron James haven't played.

 

[Mr. J]

Well Ming, they were lucky to have Houston, and the rest of our players gone so it all evens out when you think about it.

 

[Nylex]

Woo, a win at last!

 

[Platehpus]

If Mohammed always had 20/10 a game, we'd be a dominating team.

Huge win for us.

 

[Mr. J]

Mohammed has been struggling as of late but, he still is learning. Remember where he came from since this season. I don't think we can even blame him for struggling, he has much improved since his scrubbish ways.

 

[B.e.]

This win was well over due for the Knicks. They played pretty good and finished the game in the fourth quarter. But if LeBron was playing I think it's safe to say there would have been a different outcome to this game, sorry Knick fans.

 

[Mr. J]

Untill we see it, we can't make a prediction. Last time when LeBron was playing in MSG, we had him on lock and he had I think 13 points on a less than decent shooting night. We also won that game by a comfortable margin.

 

[KnicksUK]

I'm very glad we won but I don't believe for one minute we would have done if LeBron had been playing for the Cavs. He is the life and soul of their team, when he performs so do they.

 

[crazyrussianz]

Lets Hope for a win today, boy was i happy when penny came off the bench