Game Thread: NY KNICKS@ OKC THUNDER April 7, 2013 1:00PM EDT

T.O Knick

Benchwarmer
MANS GAME!!!!!

Huge win but more important was witnessing the boys having the mental toughness and composure to overcome some truly dedicated homer officials. That is a "This what it takes to excel the playoffs" sort of victory.
 

DrB

Benchwarmer
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The last time the Knicks went on a West Coast road trip they lost 4 of 5 games by an average margin of 20 points.

It looked like an end of season collapse for the Knicks with Melo returning to NY for knee treatment and injuries in the front court but the last game of the the trip in Utah was the start of an amazing turnaround for the team.

We now have won 11 in a row but face a real test today in OKC a team many predict will be the WC finals champion.

We're hot, OKC is playing well and a victory today in their building will have many analysts talking about a possible Knicks championship tomorrow.



http://www.nba.com/games/20130407/NYKOKC/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpgt[0021201145]

Knicks-Thunder Preview



The red-hot runs of Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks are set for a major challenge - a visit to Oklahoma City.

Anthony squares off with the only player ahead of him in the scoring race as his Knicks, riding the third-longest winning streak in franchise history, look to make a big statement Sunday against Kevin Durant and the Thunder.

While Oklahoma City is battling San Antonio for the Western Conference's top seed, New York (49-26) is second in the East and on the verge of clinching the Atlantic Division thanks to its 11-game win streak. It's the team's longest since winning 15 straight from March 1-April 2, 1994.

The latest victory, 101-83 over Milwaukee on Friday, came on the night the Knicks honored the 40th anniversary of their last championship.

Anthony is certainly playing like he's ready to lead New York to its first title since 1972-73. He finished with 41 points Friday to tie a team record with his third straight game of at least 40. He's averaging 43.7 points during that stretch while shooting 64.2 percent, including 11 for 19 from 3-point range.

"It's April, I guess. It's April. It's time to go," Anthony said.
The All-Star forward has increased his scoring average to 28.3 points, right behind Durant's 28.4. If Durant fails to crack 30 points Sunday, Anthony would move past him into the league lead with another 40-plus effort.
"Can't say enough, he's been special for us," Woodson said of Anthony, who also had 14 rebounds Friday.

Durant, though, did recently tell the NBA's official website that he doesn't care if he misses out on a fourth consecutive scoring title to Anthony.

"He can have it," Durant said. "... I mean the stuff he's doing right now, every time he touches the ball it looks like it's going to go in. He's having a nice run right now and his confidence is high. I'm sure he's going to take over. If it happens, cool."

What would not be cool by Durant is seeing a win by the Knicks, who have lost their last five visits to Oklahoma City and nine of 11 overall in this series.

The Thunder have lost only once - to Denver - in 11 home games since the All-Star break. That stretch includes a victory over the Spurs on Thursday, and they went to Indiana the next night and routed the Central Division-leading Pacers 97-75.

Oklahoma City has won three straight and six of seven.

"We've been building this thing for the last few weeks and it's starting to look good, so we gotta keep it up," said Durant, who had 34 points Friday despite a bruised left calf.

A victory by the Knicks on Sunday would easily be their most impressive of the win streak. They did beat league-best Miami on Tuesday, but the Heat played without LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. No other win during the run has come against a division leader.

"It's that time of the season where we gotta pick it up," Anthony said. "I felt like I needed to pick my game up and do what I have to do."


Anthony missed these teams' first meeting March 7 in New York due to a knee problem, and the Thunder escaped with a 95-94 victory behind Durant's 34 points.


J.R. Smith scored 36 in that game, hitting six 3-pointers, but missed a jumper in the final seconds. Smith had yet another 30-point night Friday, his fourth in seven contests.


New York has averaged 104.4 points and 49.1 percent shooting over its last eight games, but will be facing an Oklahoma City team which has held its last six opponents to averages of 87.7 and 38.7.


The Thunder, scoring 108.8 points at home to rank near the top of the league, will try to solve a Knicks team that's surrendered 86.0 per game in its last four.


Oklahoma City third-leading scorer Kevin Martin (14.0 ppg) has failed to reach double figures in three of the past four games, but he keyed the win over the Knicks with 16 points and has averaged 26.6 in his last eight against them.


Russell Westbrook was 8 of 22 from the field for 21 points in last month's meeting. His shot remains a bit off, as he's hit 39.7 percent over the past three games, but in that span he has averaged 24.7 points, 8.7 assists and 9.0 rebounds.


"We've matured as a team," Westbrook said. "We're doing a good job of playing together at the right time."

Superb write up..I am after the fact and have been to the mountain...I AM A BELIEVER WE CAN BEAT ANYBODY>
 

KnickfanaticinGA

Benchwarmer
Just finished watching the game (thanks DirecTV Jeannie).
This was the best display of team basketball I have ever seen the Knicks play. Everybody participated in this game. When Melo missed 5 in a row, J Kidd was hitting 3 3's in a row. Then the bench goes off in the 1st half with Mr. Copeland taking boys to the rim. Felton/Tyson combo on some exciting pick n rolls and to see JR with the dagger 3...priceless.
But Melo told the world on national tv today.....'The Champ is here!!!!' Scoring title goes thru NY and guess what? Chip is going thru NY as well!


Bleedin blue and orange!!!
 

rady

Administrator
Staff member
can't wait to see the game tomorrow, i hate it when i forget about these Sunday early games!
 

jimkcchief88

All Star
Still gotta watch my DVR but wow:) Haters come out play, Knicks will find u with da Chinese AK!!!:)Wolf tickets y'all don't kno bout dat!!!
 
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jimkcchief88

All Star
Finally finished watching my DVR of the game. I hope all the Melo haters got a nice eyeful of a complete game from our MVP candidate. Over 50% from the field from all over the floor and 9 offensive rebounds to boot. Melo would have had another 40 point game if the refs didn't swallow thier whistle as he doesn't take his first free-throw attempt until under a minute left in the game. Hopefully Hubie explained the " Melo-iso" well enough for you that you haters will understand and stop hating. Probably not. JR and the bench mob put in much work as the streak continues....:)
 

T.O Knick

Benchwarmer
Finally finished watching my DVR of the game. I hope all the Melo haters got a nice eyeful of a complete game from our MVP candidate. Over 50% from the field from all over the floor and 9 offensive rebounds to boot. Melo would have had another 40 point game if the refs didn't swallow thier whistle as he doesn't take his first free-throw attempt until under a minute left in the game. Hopefully Hubie explained the " Melo-iso" well enough for you that you haters will understand and stop hating. Probably not. JR and the bench mob put in much work as the streak continues....:)

Ironically thanks to the dedication of comical homer refs this was the ultimate team victory.

Refs tried to make this an OKC cake walk quite early, bogus fouls calls sends both Shump and Melo to the bench early. What the Durant nut huggers did not anticipate was likes of Copeland, Kidd, Felton and co having a MANS GAME sort of performance.
 

skisloper

Starter
Finally finished watching my DVR of the game. I hope all the Melo haters got a nice eyeful of a complete game from our MVP candidate. Over 50% from the field from all over the floor and 9 offensive rebounds to boot. Melo would have had another 40 point game if the refs didn't swallow thier whistle as he doesn't take his first free-throw attempt until under a minute left in the game. Hopefully Hubie explained the " Melo-iso" well enough for you that you haters will understand and stop hating. Probably not. JR and the bench mob put in much work as the streak continues....:)


I think everyone would agree when melo plays like that and puts the effort in he is up there with Lebron and others....Its the fact that at times he seems not play like that every night where people get very down on him...

2 years ago when lebron would vanish in the 4th quarter everyone got on him...he realized his mistake and changed his attitude and has been unstoppable ever since....All Melo Haters and Fans alike want is the same effort Melo had made in the past few games is the same effort he should give every night....its a fair request....

there is no reason that melo should not offensive rebound every night like he did yesterday.....No doubting his strength and ability its his effort some times.....

right now Melo sees a possibility of an NBA title and if he keeps playing this was way we may have one.
 

bigapple

Starter
Heat Memphis OKC Spurs GSW Nuggets this elite teams which Knicks won 1 game Spurs Jazz twice


+ i read that Woody said they are desperate to win title MELO with his HUNGER with exploaded in proper time

Chanlder Kidd Sheed with titles K-Mart with huge playoff exp Melo never been in finals lost to Lakers time to step up

mine dream is one some1 other can defeat Heat b4 conf finals :) wishes arent come true dream mostly :)
 
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