The Knicks are coming off a heart-breaking double-overtime loss to Denver - Melo's first match against his former team of 7 years. Anthony struggled mightily from the field, scoring 35, but shooting 10-30. To be fair, he is banged up with wrist and ankle injuries. He continues to play through the pain and is expected to do so tonight.
Amar'e Stoudemire hasn't been his normal All-Star self this year. Many are blaming it on the number of touches he's getting, but his aggressiveness and swagger of past years just isn't there yet. STAT did score 25 points in both games against Charlotte this season, though.
The Bobcats have been woeful this season, winning only 3 of seventeen thus far. Corey Maggette and D.J. Augustin, who exited early from his last game with an inflamed big toe, will not play. Boris Diaw remains a threat against the poor defense of Stoudemire. In their first meeting of the season, Diaw scored 27 points.
The Orange and Blue need to focus on their fundamentals for this game. Against an inferior opponent, it is important not to come out cocky and fearless. The team has to insure quick and fluid ball movement, finding the open man and knocking down open jumpers. The Knicks can't get trigger happy from behind the arc. Instead, the big men need to find points in the paint and draw fouls to get to the line.
New York is desperate for some confidence - a big win could propel them to an offensive roll. The chemistry and ball movement need to improve, and the defense must continue to play tough. With Baron Davis practicing and looking to make his debut later this week, the Knicks could be moving up in the standings very soon.
Of course, any Knicks fan praying for a victory over the Bobcats tonight can relive the exciting moment in Knicks history below.
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