Eleven games remain on the regular season slate for our heroes. If they hope to leapfrog Boston for the second seed, New York needs to win at least those games in which they are favored. This week offers the Knicks three chances to stack wins against weaker opponents. The last game in this batch will be the first of a four-game road trip, and next week promises stiffer competition. So this week, run the table Knickerbockers!
Sunday, March 22 — Knicks vs Washington Wizards, 7:30 PM (MSG)
The Knicks host the woeful Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Obviously,
the Knicks are heavily favored—the ‘Zards are underdogs against everyone, save perhaps the Pacers, the only club with a worse record. Even the contemptible Kings can look down their noses at Washington!
The Knicks have beaten the Wizards in 11 straight games and twice already this season. In their last meeting, on February 3, the Knicks won 132-101 with Mikal Bridges scoring 23 points and Jalen Brunson adding 21. Will Riley scored 17 for the losing team.
Tuesday, March 24 — Knicks vs New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 PM (MSG)
When they met on December 29, the Pels pushed New York to the wire but fell short. The Knicks won 130-125 with Jalen Brunson posting 28 points and 10 dimes. Zion Williamson scored 32 in their loss.
The buzz about freshman Derik Queen has quieted of late. Zion’s put up solid numbers, but is not a leader sufficient enough to lift this team out of the bottom tier in the West. Still, they can be feisty and have won six of their last ten. Slacking is discouraged in this one.
Thursday, March 26 — Knicks at Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 PM (MSG)
The Knicks have beaten the Hornets twice this season and will have two more chances before the playoffs. When they played on December 3, the Knicks won 119-104 with Karl-Anthony Towns logging a 35-18 double-double.
Kon Knueppel has shot 7-of-28 in two games against the Knickerbockers this season. He’s a much better shooter than that, so prepare for the double K rookie to deliver better performances in at least one of their next two tilts.
Go Knicks.
