New York Knicks logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here are some notes for those fans who are getting ready to watch the New York Knicks (47-26) who are on the road to take on the Atlanta Hawks (42-33) in NBA action tonight.
This will be the second of three meetings between these two teams, and the lone game the Knicks will get to play at the Phillips Arena. Thus far New York holds a 1-0 edge thanks to a 106-104 victory on 1/27 at the Garden. Last year the guys had success against the Hawks as they were able to win the season series 2-1, New York has not lost a season series versus Atlanta since the 2007-08 season.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 42 points, including a career-high and franchise-tying nine three-pointers in over 44 minutes. Amar’e Stoudemire recorded 18 points and eight boards in over 29 minutes, while J.R. Smith added 18 points in over 37 minutes off the bench.
Knicks Recap:
New York was able to take the season series from the defending NBA Champion Miami Head on Tuesday, with a 102-90 victory. Leading the way on offense was Carmelo Anthony who had 50 points on 16-28 shooting in over 40 minutes. This is the first 50-point performance by a New York Knick since Jamal Crawford vs. Miami on 1/26/07. This was Anthony’s third 50-point performance of his career and his first with the Knicks.
Team on Fire:
With their victory over the Heat on Tuesday, the Knicks were able to extend its winning streak to nine-games. The streak is their longest of the season and the longest since the 1993-94 season when they went for 15-wins in a row.
Some other important notes:
With that victory against the Heat on 4/2, the Knicks have now won 20 road games for the first time since the 96-97 season. The Knicks went 12-6 in the month of March. The 12 victories are the most for a Knicks team since the 93-94 season when the team went 14-0.
Versus the Champs:
The Knicks have been able to defeat the NBA Champions from each of the last two seasons (Heat 2012-twice; Dallas Mavericks 2011) this season. This is the second time in franchise history the Knicks have had a pair of 20-point wins over the defending champion in one season.
D is the Key
New York was able to hold Miami to 90 points in a 102-90 victory on April 2. The team is now 37-10 when they are able to hold opponents to less than 100-points and 23-2 when they hold opponents under 90-points.
This Dat in Knicks History:
2011: The Knicks end a seven-year playoff drought, clinching their first playoff berth since April 7, 2004 with a 123-107 victory versus Cleveland at the Garden.
The Knicks and Hawks game is scheduled to air on the MSG and ESPN networks, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.