The New York Knicks (0-3) will look to finally their first win of the season as they host the Brooklyn Nets (3-2) on Friday.
The Knicks have been off since Tuesday, when they were easily defeated by the Boston Celtics 110-89. The Nets have now won three of their last four games after upsetting the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-107 on Wednesday.
Projected starting lineups
Nets: PG - D’Angelo Russell, SG - Caris LeVert, SF - DeMarre Carroll, PF - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, C - Timofey Mozgov
Knicks: PG - Ramon Sessions, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Courtney Lee, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter
Stats leaders
Nets leaders: Scoring - D’Angelo Russell 23.0, Rebounding - Trevor Booker 8.6, Assists - D’Angelo Russell 5.5
Knicks leaders: Scoring - Kristaps Porzingis 25.3, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 12.0, Assists - Ramon Sessions 4.3
Injury report
Nets: Out - Jeremy Lin (knee), Questionable - D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Knicks: Out - Joakim Noah (suspension), Questionable - Frank Ntilikina (ankle)
What Knicks fans should watch for
Tim Hardaway Jr.
was expected to be one of the leaders of the franchise after signing with the Knicks this offseason for four years/$71 million. Through three games, he has not found his jumper at all. He shot 3-10 from the field in the season opener, 4-16 in the team’s second game, and 2-11 in their most recent loss on Tuesday. He is now shooting 9-37 (24.3%) from the field and 5-22 (22.7%) from three-point territory.
New York ranks dead last in the NBA in multiple categories through three games (entering Thursday). They are last in scoring (93.3), last in three-pointers made (5.3) and three-point percentage (24.2%), last in rebounds per game (41.0), and last in assists per game (19.7). These numbers help to show all the makings of a team that haven’t won a game and what things the Knicks clearly need to show improvement in.
After playing 3:46 of garbage time in the season opener and receiving a DNP - Coach’s Decision in the second game, second-year center Willy Hernangomez finally got his first real taste of game action. He saw 11:10 of playing time on Tuesday and finished with 12 points and two steals. A lack of defense has been the reason head coach Jeff Hornacek has used as to why Hernangomez hasn’t been in the rotation.
There is no denying that the 23-year-old can bring it on the offensive end, and it will be interesting to see if Tuesday’s effort (albeit while they were getting blown out) finally allows him to start seeing regular playing time.
History of Nets/Knicks
The two intrastate (Nets played in New Jersey from 1977-2012) Atlantic Division teams have engaged in their rivalry since the Nets joined the NBA after the ABA merger in 1976.
The Knicks hold the slight lead in the 187 regular season matchups with a 93-92 win advantage. The Nets hold an 11-9 lead in the series since moving to Brooklyn.
The two teams split their four meetings last season and also in 2015-16. Brooklyn was able to sweep the season series against the Knicks in 2014-15.
