The Atlantic Division-leading New York Knicks (32-18) have struggled recently, losing three of four games going into the NBA All-Star break. With 32 regular-season games remaining, they’re in desperate need of returning to the brand of basketball that catapulted them to an 18-5 start.
This means a return to fluid ball movement and consistent help for Carmelo Anthony on the offensive end, and the tenacious defensive efforts that often disrupted and frustrated opponents during the first half. The good news for the Knicks is that they have the personnel to finish as a top-two seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The question is, will this aging and somewhat banged up team be able to close out the regular season as strongly as it started it?
Point guard Raymond Felton and the veteran trio of Marcus Camby, Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace battled injuries throughout the first half, so their health will loom large as New York challenges the Miami Heat (36-14) for best record in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks’ greatest weapons are their size and depth, which have presented problems for teams such as Miami, against which New York is 2-0 this season. On the other hand, the Knicks’ vulnerabilities have been exposed by the Chicago Bulls (30-22), whose physical play propelled them to three first-half wins over Melo and Co. Versus Chicago, the Knicks have yielded a combined 218 points in the teams’ last two meetings, and overall the Bulls’ in-your-face defensive play has caused Knicks players to clash with referees for what they perceived as uncalled fouls.
How the rest of this season plays out for the Knicks is anyone’s guess, but hopes are certainly high for a franchise in search of its first NBA title since 1973. New York kicks off its second-half schedule at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday on the road against the Indiana Pacers (32-21).
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New York Knicks (@nyknicks) need strong start to second half
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