The Knicks (2-4) head into the first full week of November with a mixed slate that starts soft and gets progressively harder. Two home dates against basement-dwellers offer a chance to build momentum and pad the win column, but the road finale against an Eastern Conference rival looms as the team’s next measuring stick. How New York fares will say a lot about where this group stands after a choppy 2-4 start. Or not. The season’s still young.
Monday, November 2 – Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 PM ET (MSG)
The week opens the week with a home date against a struggling
Nets squad that finally notched a win on Sunday (98-90 at Indiana) after opening 0-5. Brookly has been one of the conference’s weakest teams so far, ranking near the bottom in most major categories (except pace; these youngins are quick!). They allow a high volume of points, but the addition of familiar face Julius Randle and some young pieces has produced occasional competetive stretches, including a close overtime loss to Boston.
In this, their first meeting of the season, the Knicks should control the glass at Madison Square Garden against a spunky group still chasing consistency at both ends. The home crowd, hungry for winning basketball, and Jalen Brunson’s midrange game should set the tone early.
Wednesday, November 4 – Knicks vs Chicago Bulls, 7:30 PM ET (MSG)
A quick turnaround brings the Bulls back to Madison Square Garden. “The Bulls again?” you ask. Yessir, our heroes already handled the Chi-Guys 133-127 on the road last week, thanks to Brunson’s 38 points that helped to flip a 19-point deficit. The Bulls are 1-5 and have lost four straight, struggling defensively while leaning on newcomer Caleb Wilson, Josh Giddey and Norman Powell for production.
As we’ve seen, Chicago’s youth and athleticism can create transition problems and second-chance opportunities, but their defensive rating has been poor and the sloppiness of youth continues to surrender easy looks. The Knicks should impose their physical side again and not let Chicago jump so far ahead in their rematch. A 19-point comeback might not be so easily attainable this time around.
Saturday, November 7 – Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 8:00 PM ET (NBA TV / MSG)
The week closes with a road test against one of the east’s top teams. The Cavaliers sit at 4-2 and have been scoring efficiently (top-tier offensive numbers) behind Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and James Harden. Their defense hasn’t caught up yet, however. As of this writing, they’re 20th in the league for points allowed and 17th for defensive rating.
Cleveland’s length and ability to switch or protect the rim will challenge the Knicks’ half-court sets. You’ll recall that New York is a little thin at the center position. James Wiseman has played just three of six games thus far, and has sat for two straight. Against the twin towers of Jarrett Allen and Mobley, Knicks coach Mike Brown might find it necessary to deploy Wiseman for a few minutes. The Rocket Arena crowd could be a factor, too. This is the toughest of the three games as both teams try to establish themselves in a competitive Eastern Conference. Cleveland is still smarting from from the Knicks sweeping them in the Eastern Conference Finals, so don’t think they haven’t circled this on the calendar. Everyone wants a swing at the champs this season.
Go Knicks.
