For the first time this season the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks will do battle at Madison Square Garden. These Atlantic Division rivals haven’t met since April 15th of last year, when the Raptors defeated the Knicks 107-105.The Raptors ended a three game home losing streak Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Jose Calderon was the best Raptor on the floor, scoring 17 points and dishing out 9 assists. Anthony Parker had his second 20 point game in a row, recording 22 points on 8-11 shooting.
The Knicks have lost seven of their last eight games and New Yorkers are screaming for Isaiah’s immediate dismissal. After bringing Zach Randolph to the “Big Apple” in the off season, the Knicks were supposed to contend in the East. But a 9-25 start has made them the joke of the NBA. The Knicks are a team full of talented high priced ballers that just can’t seem to jell together.
The Knicks lost Wednesday night to the Houston Rockets, 101-92. Yao Ming stepped up with Tracy McGrady out of the line up for the eighth straight game, scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Rockets have won four in a row.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Stephon Marbury
Anthony Parker/Jamal Crawford
Jamario Moon/Quentin Richardson
Chris Bosh/Zach Randolph
Andrea Bargnani/Eddy Curry
Key Match-ups:
Marbury always plays well against the Raptors. He averages 21.6 ppg and 8.7 apg in 31 career games. Marbury has struggled on and off the court this season. The death of his father caused him to miss nine games earlier this season and his well publicized battles with Isiah have been a distraction. He’s come on as of late averaging 15.2 ppg in his last five games.
Jose Calderon will be matched up against Marbury for the Raptors. Calderon has 51 assists in his last five games and is averaging 15.2 ppg during that time.
If the the law of averages exists in the NBA, the Chris Bosh will grab around 19 rebounds Friday night against the Knicks. Bosh only managed one rebound in Toronto’s win over the 76ers on Wednesday. Bosh will be matched up with Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry and should be able to take both these guys off the dribble and hopefully get them into foul trouble.
X-men:
Raptors
Anthony Parker: It looks as though Parker has found his groove over the last two games. He’s scored 20+ in his last two starts and is shooting a high percentage. Parker will have to work hard on the defensive end against Knicks leading scorer Jamal Crawford.
Knicks
David Lee: Why David Lee doesn’t see consistent minutes is beyond me. Last season he averaged a double-double off the bench, but has been getting inconsistent minutes so far this season. Lee hustles on the offensive boards and knocks down his open shots.
Game Notes:
Raptors guard TJ Ford has been cleared to resume workouts after seeing a spine specialist on Wednesday. There is still no timetable for his return; second draft pick Roko-Leni Ukic will reportedly join the Raptors next season. Ukic has been playing overseas for Lottomatica Roma of the Italian league; the Raptors are 9-9 on the road this season.
Knicks forward Zach Randolph is rumoured to be on the move again. There is a report that Randolph is on the block and could end up in Milwaukee; another rumour has the possibility of Tracy McGrady coming to New York. Isaiah was asked about the trade before their game against the Rockets and said he would welcome it…no kidding; the Knicks are 7-12 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Toront Raptors, New York Knicks, Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry, Chris Bosh, David Lee, TJ Ford, Roko Ukic
January 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I do not like the Knicks and you are right they are the joke of the NBA. that’s why the Raptors should walk into MSG and hand the KNICKS another loss. Aslong as Bosh can continue to get to the line, Calderon continues his strong play, Parker continues to score, and someone on the bench picks up the slack on the offensive end, then the raps will win. that isnt too much to ask is it?
January 11th, 2008 at 8:46 am
they just need to be concious of randolph and lee in the paint (rebounding) and crawford always seems to have a good game against the raps.
i actually like the knicks, from way back when they had ewing, starks, smith, oakley and crew. sad to see them so bad.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Randolph is a skilled post player and he can knock down his open shots. the knock on him is his defence. So Bosh can put the ball on the floor and get him into foul trouble. Curry is also kinda lazy, but he’s a BIG man. He’s a little sloppy on the defensive end, but can score in the post.
I havent ever really liked the Knicks, but I’ve liked some of their players in the past and present. I like Lee and Crawford, and Ewing, Starks and Oakley from back in the day. The Knicks today are just a bunch of over priced babies who would rather shoot then pass an complain about the playing time they arent getting. If i was Isiah I would have a practice to determine who my starters would be. whoever works hard in practice gets the start…I dont care what your name is or how much money MSG is paying you
January 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
funny that you guys think that the Knicks will lose tonight. The Raptors may have a better record but they aren’t a good team and tonight is when the Knicks turn it around. They’ll probably rattle off 10 in a row and make the playoffs.
Zach and Eddy will eat the Raptors low post D for supper
January 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
the knicks have had 300 different starting lineups since last year, i don’t think another practice will help. the only thing that will is getting rid of isaih.
as far as the knicks winning tonight knickslover, i can’t predict anything with this team, but it will be a fight. randolph/curry/lee/balkman will be a handful on the glass for the raptors, and crawford always gives the raps problems.
on the other hand, bosh/calderon will eat up the knick defense, so it should about even out, no?
10 in row wont happen in this lifetime for the knicks…glad to see some of their fans still have hopes.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Man, I wish I had that kind of optimism about my own team. But then reality comes crashing down on me like a wave. Nevertheless - Knickslover as misguided as your comments appear to be, there is a shread of truth to your hallucination. The Knicks big boys will be a problem for the Raptors interior D, but heres the sad part: the knicks refuse to defend on the other end. Thus, sadly for you, this affair will end up being decided by offense which the Raptors are pretty good at. Perhaps you can build a time machine like Uncle Rico and go back in time when the Knicks were actually good.
“God, I wish I could go back in time…coach would have put me in the game and we would have won state”.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
you know the weirdest thing
I know isiah didn’t deserve to be suspended for last game’s ejection but he should at least admit he made contact with the ref by accident YEEESH talk about denial
anyways defence will win this game (or bad shooting will lose the game) since both teams are good enough offensively
January 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I’m kinda scared of Curry and Randolph down low, but then i look at their record and think that the raptors will end up beating these overpayed ass clowns. Fire Isiah and rebuild a team, i think the fans of NYC deserve it
January 11th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
uncle rico…that’s classic!
January 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
It would be scary if the Knicks could jell and become a contender in the east. if you look at their line up it is insane that they arent better.
Starbury-should accept the role of a pg and pass first. He has weapons to use at every position.
Crawford-the guy is a shooter who can pass and put the ball on the floor.
Richardson-can shoot the ball from beyond the arc, but I dont think he should be in the starting line up
Randolph-he averaged 23 and 10 last season with the Blazers. The Knicks should think about running their offence through him
Curry-the guy is a monster at 6″11 285 he should be averaging double digits in rebounds, not 5.5.
Lee is a great role player and should see more minutes; Balkman is pure energy; Robinson is a good back up and can be instant offence. But i think everything comes down to the coaching. Isiah lost these guys over a year ago. maybe with the firing of Thomas and the hiring of a “players coach” the franchise could be turned around. sad to see so much money and talent wasted, but not that sad becuase they do play in the Atlantic.
January 11th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Jamario Moon NBA Rookie of the YEAR!?!
http://www.jamariomoonshine.com
January 11th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
ha, wishful thinking moon man, but he is making a case for the all-rookie team. should definitely play in the rookie/sophmore game.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
That has be some of the WORSE officiating I have EVER seen this season! (My all time is MJ VS Utah, but I agree that you keep the whistles in the pocket in the dying seconds, the other is Portland VS Lakers, when Rasheed Wallace got called for “looking threateningly against the ref”, allowing the ShaqRyants to gain momentum and win the series). Hilarious!
Okay, so it’s not as bad as every Celtic game this season (turn the volume off, and watch the game WITHOUT all the Garnett-hugging in the background, and count how may wrist slaps, shirt grabs, elbows, and 3 point violations he gets called for [btw, I AM a KG fan, I really am, have the rookie card/rookie Wolves jersey and all]), or even the last game against the Lebrons, but WOW! This game was bad. The only saving grace is that BOTH teams were getting shafted. WOW!
Looks like we got LUCKY. Eddie/Zack get 7 shots total? Wow! I like David Lee, but I am NOT sold on Nate Robinson.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:35 am
@ masterjuddi > what about Marc Jackson or even a Chris Childs as coach for this team (too bad Oakley isn’t interested in coaching), or maybe Ewing?
January 12th, 2008 at 12:43 am
was it just me or was that a really boring game to watch
the novelty of how unorganized the knicks are runs out quick
January 12th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Knicks suck again in this game…. anything new for them?