Don't look now, but the New York Knicks have their first three-game winning streak of the season. We are at the half way point in the NBA season, and the Knicks are coming off a franchise record 16 straight losses just a week ago. So any signs of life for this team is a positive considering where they've been. Is it to0 late to turn the season around? Well, at 8-36 you're better off getting the highest draft pick as possible this summer but having the worst record does not guarantee you the highest pick in the Draft Lottery.
It is definitely good to see new life injected in to this New York Knicks team. The energy looks different, the intensity looks rejuvenated. Give credit to Derek Fisher for keeping the locker room focused and upbeat and to Carmelo Anthony for not shutting it down with the knee injury. That means a lot when you have younger players looking up to Anthony and witnessing him fight with the team. A lot of credit also goes to the three new players that are now on their second 10-day contracts. All three made a major impact on Friday night's win at Madison Square Garden.
Both Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson were in the starting lineup for the third straight game, and they are fitting in just fine with their teammates. Galloway and Amundson didn't blow you away with their stats, but it was when and how they contributed that meant the most. Galloway had 15 points and eight rebounds in 3o minutes but did hit a late three to ice the game. Amundson had only two points and six boards in only 20 minutes of action, but his basketball IQ is high and plays with high energy. Also, there was Lance Thomas, a Brooklyn product, who gave the Knicks a lot off the bench last night. He came in and gave instant offense with 16 points in 25 minutes. Veteran Jason Smith had one of his best games of the season with a season-high 19 points and was 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, and Carmelo Anthony played a game high 41 minutes and scored 25 points.
Amar'e Stoudemire did not play last night, and Derek Fisher said it was a rest day for him, and he should be in the lineup tonight in Charlotte. It is unclear whether or not Carmelo would play tonight in the second game of a back to back after logging over 40 minutes last night.
Starting point guard for the Hornets Kemba Walker is averaging 21.9 points in his past seven meetings with the Knicks and scored 28 points last month against them. The guard may be looking forward to this matchup after being held to eight points while going 3 of 14 from the floor in a 129-90 loss at Cleveland on Friday. Center Al Jefferson has played well against the Knicks, as he's averaging 24.3 points over his last four games against them.
Tipoff is at 7 pm Eastern Standard Time.