The New York Knicks (14-13) head to the Barclays Center on Thursday night to take on their in-state rival, the Brooklyn Nets (11-15).
The Knicks enter Thursday’s game on a two-game winning streak after Tuesday’s thrilling 113-109 overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. No team had larger than a six-point lead at anytime over the second half. Kristaps Porzingis had a monster game finishing with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. Enes Kanter recorded another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds while Michael Beasley and Frank Ntilikina both scored 13 off the bench.
The Nets have won three of their last four games and are coming off a 103-98 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. Brooklyn held the Wizards to just 40 percent shooting and 4-22 on three-point attempts. Brooklyn’s balanced scoring attack led to seven players scoring in double figures led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert’s 16.
Likely starters
Knicks: Point guard - Jarrett Jack, Shooting guard - Courtney Lee, Small forward - Lance Thomas, Power forward - Kristaps Porzingis, Center - Enes Kanter
Nets: Point guard - Spencer Dinwiddie, Shooting guard - Allen Crabbe, Small forward - DeMarre Carroll, Powner forward - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Center - Cody Zeller
Leaders
Knicks: Points - Kristaps Porzingis 26.0, Rebounds - Enes Kanter 10.3, Assists - Jarrett Jack 6.1
Nets: Points - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 14.5, Rebounds - DeMarre Carroll 7.2, Assists - Spencer Dinwiddie 6.6
Notable injuries
Knicks: Out - Tim Hardaway Jr.
(leg)
Nets: Out - Jeremy Lin (knee), D’Angelo Russell (knee)
What to watch for
Expect the Nets to throw up a lot of three-pointers. Through Tuesday’s games, Brooklyn is attempting 34.2 threes per game which is the fifth-most in the league. Meanwhile, the Knicks allow the third-most attempts from long range a game at 32.7.
While Brooklyn ranks just 19th allowing 110.6 points per game, their defense has played better especially in the past four games.
In their last four outings, they are giving up just 96 points on average and haven’t given up more than 101.
The Knicks have lost six straight on the road and are just 1-8 in away games on the season. While they have struggled to find much success at home, Knicks fans normally travel in droves to Brooklyn at the Barclays Center making it seem as if it is actually a home game.
Starting December 27, New York will play 14 away games in a 17-game stretch.
History between the Knicks and Nets
The Knicks and Nets have met 188 times in the regular season with New York holding a slight 95-93 advantage in the win column. Since moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn, the Nets have won 11 of the 21 head-to-head matchups.
The two teams split their four meetings last season with the Nets winning the last two. They have met once this season with the Knicks coming out on top by the score of 107-86 on October 27 in Madison Square Garden. New York is 4-6 all-time at the Barclays Center.
