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| (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) |
New York Knicks
Record: 4-15, 12th in the Eastern Conference
Offense: 101.0 offensive rating (22nd)
Defense: 107.2 defensive rating (27th)
Net: -6.2 (24th)
| Probable Starters | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Calderon | 10.7 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Iman Shumpert | 10.8 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 23.5 | 6.1 | 3.3 |
| Amar'e Stoudemire | 12.8 | 7.9 | 1.0 |
| Samuel Dalembert | 4.0 | 5.3 | 1.2 |
The Previous Result(s)
The Match-up to Watch
LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony
Best friends, draft-mates and two of the best small forwards in the league face of for the 23rd time in their careers. Records go out the window in these type of games, as you can always expect both of these players to bring their best performance in this match-up. Anthony got the best of James in the first meeting this season, but it is known how much James love playing in Madison Square Garden.
The Number
20
That's how many players in NBA history that have had a signature shoe with Nike, with Kyrie Irving being the latest to receive this honor when it was announced last night in New York. Along with LeBon James, the Cavaliers currently have two players with signature shoes from Nike, the only team in the league that can claim that honor.
The Playlist
Do I really have to explain this part...?
Why Cleveland will win
On paper, Cleveland should be able to walk away from the Garden with an easy victory. The Cavaliers have been on a roll on offense during their four-game winning streak, averaging 120.4 points per 100 possessions, which would currently lead the league by a hefty margin. Add the fact that LeBron loves playing in MSG, the Cavaliers should cruise to a victory.
Why New York will win
As bad as the Knicks have been this year, you can never count out a team that has Carmelo Anthony playing for them. Anthony came up big in their Oct. 31 match-up, scoring 23 points and hitting a dagger over LeBron to clinch the Knicks win in Cleveland. Also, don't forget that the Knicks are the best 3-point shooting team in the league, and all it takes is for one or two guys to get hot for the Knicks to pull off the upset at home.
The Prediction
Cleveland 109, New York 108
I don't care that the Knicks are 4-14, this is still a game the Cavaliers could lose. Cleveland is 1-3 on primetime games so far this season, and everyone knows just how much Carmelo loves playing against LeBron. Despite that, I think the Cavaliers come out with a win, but not without a scare and monster game from Anthony.
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