The New York Knicks continue to hit rock bottom after each and every game they play. Nothing seems to be working right for the ball club, and it's not about to get any easier as they head to Portland, Oregon and face the red-hot Trail Blazers Sunday night at 9 pm Eastern Time.
Last night, the Knicks were in Sacramento to face the Kings. The Knicks only had nine players suited up to play, as J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were both still out of action due to injury. Amar'e Stoudemire also did not play which looked like a rest day for him. Also, Qincy Acy did not play because of an incident he had with Washington's John Wall on Christmas and was suspended for the game against the Kings.
Carmelo led the way with 36 points, as he was 13-of-29 from the field in a big 45 minutes of game time. Tim Hardaway Jr. helped out with 19 points, and Cole Aldrich, who started the game with all the injuries, had a season-high 18 points. The Knicks had six out of the nine players scoring in double figures. The team fell behind as they usually do but also made a run to force the game to overtime but lost, 135-129, for the eighth straight time. New York are now only a game and a half ahead of the last place 76ers with a record of 5-27
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers were at home Friday night to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Portland is having themselves a great season in a tough Western conference. Last game, they were without their franchise player LaMarcus Aldridge, who is dealing with a respiratory illness and also their centers Chris Kaman (personal) and Robin Lopez, who has a fractured right hand. So Friday night the Blazers started center Joel Freeland, and he came away with 17 rebounds and controlled the paint as well as they hoped he would. Damian Lillard led the team with 28 points and nine assists. He has been on a tear of late, and the Knicks will have to make sure they contain him. Wesley Matthews had a great game, going for 25 points and connecting on 7 three-point shots, as the Blazers took down the 76ers, 114-93.
LaMarcus Aldridge's status is still unknown, but it looks like he might sit this one out as well. The Knicks will still be without J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, but Amar'e Stoudemire and Quincy Acy both should be back for the Knicks tonight.