The struggling New York Knicks are falling further out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. While a five-game road trip might not help matters, starting it against the New Jersey Nets could.
The Knicks look to avoid losing their sixth straight road game Sunday when they visit the slumping Nets for the second time this season.
New York (25-36) is in 13th place in the East, but only three games behind eighth-place Chicago and 1 1/2 games behind the Nets (27-35) for 11th. The Knicks, though, have dropped four of their last five and are 4-11 since Feb. 2.
They fell 114-105 at home to Charlotte on Saturday. Al Harrington scored 24 points and Nate Robinson added 20 for New York, but the Bobcats shot 55.4 percent and became the 16th Knicks opponent out of the last 17 to surpass 100 points.
"I didn't think our energy was very good," New York coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It is a skill to play hard. We have to either acquire the skill or learn how to do it or something. We did not come out like a playoff game, that this really meant the season more or less. It doesn't, but we should have had that attitude; didn't do it, disappointing but we got one tomorrow."
The Knicks now begin a five-game road trip while the Big East tournament takes over Madison Square Garden. New York has lost five straight away from home, although one of those defeats came in overtime and two others were decided by a combined six points.
The Knicks will face four opponents from the East during this trip - New Jersey (27-35), Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland - all of which are ahead of the Knicks in the standings. They also visit Minnesota before returning home March 18 to face the Nets again.
New York has won four of its last five against New Jersey, the most recent a 121-109 victory at the Izod Center on Dec. 10, when Harrington had 39 points.
The Nets are also stumbling, losing three of four and eight of 11.
New Jersey's last three defeats came against winning clubs - New Orleans, Boston and Orlando. The Nets led by eight with 7:26 to play Friday in Orlando, but couldn't hold on and fell 105-102 to the Magic on Friday.
Devin Harris had 25 points and nine assists to lead New Jersey. Vince Carter added 19 points, but missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.
"We put ourselves in a position to win and we didn't ... so there is no true silver lining," coach Lawrence Frank said. "This is going to be a battle of persistence and we just have to continue to fight." Harris is averaging 28.1 points and 9.9 assists in his last seven games. He scored 32 points against the Knicks in December
need to beat the nets to keep ourselves on track! lets hope we have a better third quarter than yesterday. Our defense cant be as **** as last night, leaving a man open everytime for a clear look. Chris Duhon needs benching. Start Nate. And give Wilcox more playing time!
Mar 08, 2009, 11:06
Knicks07
This is a must win game. If we dont win, I think its safe to say, we aint makin the playoffs
Mar 08, 2009, 14:04
DaTPRiNCE
we HAVE to win this game. im worried about Harris running circles around Duhon.
again JayJ tight gamethread, and nice song.
Mar 08, 2009, 14:15
JayJ44
Thanks Prince. I had to put some Jay Z in there for the Nets.
I think Nate should start this game. We've been getting off to bad starts, and starting with no energy. Duhon can't push the ball to save his life, we need Nate's energy in the beginning. Plus, I think Nate has more of a hope to guard Devin Harris than Duhon, because of Nate's speed and athleticism.
I put the wrong date in the title. Can a mod change that?
Mar 08, 2009, 14:19
DaTPRiNCE
Duhon will see alot of this
Mar 08, 2009, 16:17
abcd
This game could go either way. The Nets are better than the Knicks, but they've been very inconsistent. If Al Harrington and Nate Robinson can manage to score at lest 20 points, they'll have a good chance to win.
Mar 08, 2009, 17:05
JayJ44
Friggin' Kenny Albert is calling the game again. I hate that guy, he reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.
We need to win this one, otherwise we definitely say goodbye to the playoffs, we can't continue to lose games against teams Charlotte, NJ, Chicago etc...
Mar 08, 2009, 17:35
GoKnIcKsDLEE42
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJ44
Friggin' Kenny Albert is calling the game again. I hate that guy, he reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.
whenever he calls a game theres always a 5-10 second awkward silence.
Mar 08, 2009, 17:37
JayJ44
lmao, I don't think Clyde even likes him that much.
Why is Q-Rich playing? He sucks...
Mar 08, 2009, 17:41
Ewing
I'm watching via YES, with Marv and Fratello, it's a good combo.
Mar 08, 2009, 17:42
GoKnIcKsDLEE42
fukcen q. whenever hes in he does somehting stupid.
Mar 08, 2009, 17:49
GoKnIcKsDLEE42
damn nate is cold blooded
Mar 08, 2009, 18:45
JayJ44
Duhon has been really terrible. He keeps getting turnovers, and he can't do anything on offense besides hit a 3 every once in a while.
Lopez has been pretty much invisible. I would have thought he would do well against us, since we have no size. But it seems like he gets a turnover or a foul nearly everytime he gets the ball.
