New York vs. Detroit

[Mr. J]

Knicks 11-10

vs. Pistons 10-13

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Date: 12/14/04
Time 8:00 (7:30 Cannon Business Solutions Knicks Gamenight)
TV: MSG
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<font size="4">Season Stats</font>

Knicks:
Record: 11-10 (.524)
Standings: First, Atlantic 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference
At Home: 7-2
On Road: 4-8

PPG: 96.0 Opp PPG: 97.0
FG%: .442 Opp FG%: .459
RPG: 43.3 Opp RPG: 41.8




Pistons
Record: 10-10 (.500) 7th seed in the Eastern Conference
Standings: Third, Central
At Home: 6 - 2
On Road: 4 - 8

PPG: 89.7 Opp PPG: 89.9
FG%: .430 Opp FG%: .434
RPG: 41.9 Opp RPG: 39.5


<font size="4">
<font color="DarkOrange">Knicks</font></font>
PG: Stephon Marbury
19.9ppg 2.9rpg 8.7apg

SG: Jamal Crawford
19.3ppg 2.7rpg 3.8apg

SF: Tim Thomas
9.0ppg 3.3rpg 1.0apg

PF: Kurt Thomas
11.8ppg 10.6rpg 1.5apg

C: Nazr Mohammed
12.5ppg 9.5rpg 0.2apg

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<font color="Blue">Pistons</font></font>
PG: Chauncey Billups
15.9ppg 4.1rpg 6.2apg

SG: Richard Hamilton
20.5ppg 3.8rpg 3.8apg

SF: Tayshaun Prince
11.6ppg 6.3rpg 3.1apg

PF: Rasheed Wallace
13.1ppg 7.1rpg 1.8apg

C: Ben Wallace
11.3ppg 11.7rpg 2.9apg

<font size="4">
<font color="Red">Injuries:</font></font>
NYK: Penny Hardaway, Jamison Brewer
DET: Antonio McDyess
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<font color="Green">Matchups:</font></font>

PG: Marbury is playing the MVP of the NBA finals. Billups can score and can light it up from behind the arc. He was in the 3point shoot out and although he didn't do so well, only the best get selected. Marbury must play tough defense on Billups because his shooting will only stretch out the floor and give him even more confidence. Billups can also take defenders off the dribble so he isn't one dimensional; he has an arsenal of moves. Billups is a good defender so, Marbury might have trouble against him tonight. Even if he can take Billups he has the Wallace's waiting for him downlow so he won't get any easy layups. Luckily we have Thomas to make them pay.

SG: Jamal Crawford will have to play great defense against Hamilton. Hamilton's midrange jumpshot requires guarding. No question. He is very quick off screens and can find a way to score off the dribble as well. These are thetimes when I really miss Shandon Anderson. Crawford can ill-afford to take bad shots today. Every posession is crucial for us if we plan to win the game today. Hamilton isn't a great defender he's just a decent one. Crawford can score but, he will have to definitely do more than just score for the Knicks to win this game against the Pistons.

SF: Please TT take advantage of your size and muscle. Prince is a real skinny dude upfront so, if TT utilizes his strength upfront he can take advantage. TT has the tendency to get sloppy after making a good move and be stupid with the ball thus causing a to or ill advised shot. Prince is no joke on defense either. With that wingspan he can block many shots and TT will not be an exception tonight.

PF: Kurt Thomas will need to play very great defense tonight against Rasheed Wallace. He can post up, shoot the rock so Thomas will need to be all over the court. Kurt Thomas also needs to make that midrange jumper today. When Wallace doubles after a penetration Kurt has to make him pay no question. JYD is a great option for Rasheed Wallace because of his, speed, hustle, and heart.

C: Nazr Mohammed will have the hardest challenge that he will have in the whole season. Ben Wallace is a two in a row defensive player in the league and knows how to play defense against the best of them. Wallace can rebound very well as well. His offensive game has been improving as well. If Mohammed can bring some of that defense vs. NJ we will be in good shape. If Mohammed can give us a double double on decent fg% we will know for sure 100% Mohammed is here to stay and is a top C in the East. Mohammed will definitely have his hands full today. Let's see what he can do!

<font size="4"><font color="Green">Key Matchup:</font></font>

The Key Matchup is at the PG position.
Stephon Marbury

Chauncey Billups

These two are top offensive weapons for their team as well as their leaders. Their performance (especially Marbury) can definitely effect the outcome of the game. Marbury and Billups are very experienced floor generals that have to get their team involved on both ends of the floor. Look for them to go at eachother tonight.


<font size="4">My Prediction:</font>
This is a really tough prediction. The Knicks will be playing the world champion Detroit Pistons tonight. I am going to go with the Knicks by 2. The homecourt advantage and the recent mommentum @ NJ, and vs. Denver will prove crucial to them. The Pistons always had a tough time at the Garden and hopefully they will again tonight. I think the Knicks guards are really going to propel them tonight and get a win vs. Detroit. The Pistons have also struggled recently and are curently only at .500. I really hope the Knicks will pull out this game. I am going with them 96-94. Please don't let me down Knicks.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Nice preview, even though I was going to do it.

This will be a real challenge for us, I don't know if our defense is going to perform well for all 4 quarters, and I don't think Kurt will be able to do much against Detroit's frontcourt.

A tough loss,
Knicks - 86
Detroit - 93

 

[jbbPrimetime]

New York Knicks at home against what has been a inconsistent Detorit Pistons team.

If we can contain Richard Hamilton and control the boards (Nazr Mohammad), I think the New York Knicks stand a real chance. Important to take care of the ball, and as long Jamal Crawford goes off again, I think the New York Knicks will take this one out.
The bench play could be the key to victory.

New York Knicks 96
Detroit Pistons 88

 

[AA13]

Crawford is on fire from the 3-point line! He's 5-7 from the arch plus he hit a buzzer beater at the end of the 2nd. The thing that impressed me was Marbur's passing. If the knicks stay consistant they will win this one.

 

[Mr. J]

<font size="7">Halftime</font>
Knicks 50

76ers 61

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<font size="4">Knicks Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Stephon Marbury: 11 FG's:4-8

Allan Houston: 10 FG's: 3-6

Tim Thomas and Nazr Mohammed have: 7 Nazr: FG's 2-5 Thomas: FG's:2-3

and

<font color="Blue"><font size="4">
76ers Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Kenny Thomas: 14 FG's: 6-7

Allen Iverson: 13 FG's: 5-11

Willie Green: 7 FG's: 5-7

<font size="4"><font color="Red">Hot at the Half:</font></font>

<font size="2">Allan Houston</font>
No one is really hot but, Allan Houston is the hottest. Marbury picked up fouls 3 fouls already. Houston has 10 points but, more important is his 4 assists. He has been shooting on a good percentage too. He had a pretty good first halfouting
<font size="4">My Prediction:</font>
The Knicks aren't playing up to par at all. We are playing no defense and that's why Philadelphia is leading by this much. I still do expect a run from the Knicks. We need to pick it up defensively without getting into trouble and in addition we also need some more scoring from guys like Crawford and Mohammed. Mohammed is on a little slump and needs to play better. Hopefully things will get better in the second half. The last thing we need is another loss. Pick it up New York!

 

[VintageNYK]

Knicks up 56-40 at the half.

JCRAW IS AMAZAING!!!!!! I LOVE THIS GUY!!!! AND HOUSTON IS LOOKING GREAT!!!!! MAN IM LOVING THIS!!!! TIME TO HOLD ON TO THE LEAD AND GET THE W!!!

 

[Beat]

Wow Tim thomas is looking just like Nazi nowadays.

 

[Ming637]

Pistons now down by 2,

. Knicks D was awful in the 3rd.

 

[Midnight Green]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="Blue"><font size="4">
Nets Leading Scorers:</font></font>
</div>
I might be be missing something, but dont you mean Pistons leading scorers?

 

[VintageNYK]

Knicks up by 3 wit 34.0 secs left...

 

[STC]

What the hell!?! What a terrible shot by Jamal!!!

Why would he do that!?!

I know the shot clock was running down, but come on. He could have kicked it out, and got a shot that was heading TO the basket, not a fade from 20 with a guy right in your face.

 

[VintageNYK]

Crap man.....CRAP!!!!! WHY DID WE HAVE TO LOSE?!?! WHY?!?!?!

 

[Ming637]

Pistons just stole this victory away from us. I thought they would get the ball to Crawford, since he's clutch in a situation like this. Knicks better be prepared for the game on friday against the Sixers...

 

[Flava23]

OMG, FIre Crawford

 

[Tribute to H2O]

My God that was terrible. Why was Crawford in that position in the first place??? Bad move by Lenny Wilkens(if that's how he called it). "Every posession is crucial for us if we plan to win the game today." Apparently he didnt realize that. I would rather have had a shot clock violation than that!! Billups got the rebound, had enough time to dash up court and get fouled. Bad play by Crawford. Those are the times when only Marbury or Houston should have the ball.

 

[Mr. J]

Man, you can believe how tight I am now. We were robbed of this victory definitely. Horrible shot by Crawford at the end. I would have rather a 24 second violation then Crawford shoot that. Also Thomas missed a clutch freewthrow that would have almost iced the game. We had this game...up by 16 in the half! I am straight up furious. Why can't we hold on to leads. The last time Detroit came to the Garden the exact same thing happened only we went into OT and Billups made this retarded shot that went in. The only bright spot was Allan Houston was back and scored a bit less than the minutes that he played. This was a Garden stinker but, according to many we should have gotten beat worse. We did atleast get a bit of confidence knowing we can play in the same ball game as the elite in the league. Philadelphia watchout. And watchout people that have gym with me tommorow. I will be taking out some serious aggression!!!

 

[Knicks Analyst]

This game was a sad, depressing loss. Tim Thomas was a complete imbecile on defense, he was out of the proper positioning constanly, and Crawford's D wore down as well. Some stupid plays from Marbury and Crawford really put it away.

Like I said in my predicition - The defense wasn't going to last to play well to the 4th quarter, we're not that good.

As I've said repeatedly: We should've hired Fratello.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">This game was a sad, depressing loss. Tim Thomas was a complete imbecile on defense, he was out of the proper positioning constanly, and Crawford's D wore down as well. Some stupid plays from Marbury and Crawford really put it away.

Like I said in my predicition - The defense wasn't going to last to play well to the 4th quarter, we're not that good.

As I've said repeatedly: We should've hired Fratello.</div>

Yes we know we should have hired Fratello. But Fratello wouldnt have put up with being Isiah's puppet. A few selfish plays by both Marbury and Crawford did us in. This game could have gone either way. We can take solace in the fact that we had a good showing(well you guys can I can't). Houston also played well. So that's a plus. I'm still mad though. We had their throats half way cut. All we had to do was finish the job and we couldnt do it. I cant wait until Friday. Get to beat up on Philly.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes we know we should have hired Fratello. But Fratello wouldnt have put up with being Isiah's puppet.</div>
Yeah, I know. I've only said that 500 times.

I am simply repeating it to emphasize further how wrong it was to hire Lenny. And how much worse it was to leave Fratello out in the cold.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, I know. I've only said that 500 times.

I am simply repeating it to emphasize further how wrong it was to hire Lenny. And how much worse it was to leave Fratello out in the cold.</div>

I know you said it 500 times...that's why I said it...hiring Wilkens was a mistake but it's too late now. I dont think we're going to get Fratello for Hannukah(hope I spelled it right) or Christmas but we can dream cant we?Besides you cant really blame Lenny too much for this loss. This one is all Crawford and maybe Kurt Thomas and Marbury. Fratello isn't out in the cold anymore. He's nice and warm in Memphis now.

 

[AA13]

The ball should have went to Marbury the possesion that Crawford shot the horrible shot. Marbury was the one that kept the Knicks in the lead and he had the hot hand. If I was Lenny Wilkens I would have caled timeout when I saw Crawford was holding the ball. Then set up a play for Marbury top get a decent shot off.

 

[mike18946]

Honestly last night's finish showed the different from good teams to championship level teams, knowing how to close out a game. That was the Pistons 3rd 1 point win of the season. As inconsistant as the Pistons have been this year, when the game is close they know how to win games.

You guys have a good team but I wouldn't say a smart team, in the Knicks situation the ball should always go to the team's best player and quite frankly the Knicks failed to do that.