The New York Knicks enter the match-up being the more rested team having been off for three nights after completing their three-game road trip. In their last contest, they took a 112-110 win over the Portland Trailblazers on the road. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off a 112-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets at home. Last season, both squads missed the post-season after finishing with unpleasant records. New York finished with one more win than Minnesota, who concluded last place in the league.   

Projected Starting Lineups

-New York

    *Jose Calderon

    *Arron Afflalo

    *Carmelo Anthony

    *Kristaps Porzingis

    *Robin Lopez

-Minnesota

    *Ricky Rubio

    *Kevin Martin

    *Andrew Wiggins

    *Kevin Garnett

    *Karl-Anthony Towns

Porzingis vs. Karl-Anthony Towns

Despite Porzingis's recent struggles, the first year pro has seem to have caught the attention of many, including former NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki. “When I was 20, I was scared to death out there and had a brutal first year,” said Nowitzki last Monday night when the Dallas Mavericks took a road win against New York. “He’s averaging almost a double-double. He’s way better than I was at 20.” Porzingis holds averages of 14 points and eight boards per game. Towns has also been having an impressive season, holding averages of 15 points and nine boards per contest. There is not much compression between the two rookies game style. Towns has been known to be more of an inside scorer while Porzingis, who is four inches taller than him, can expand his offensive with outside shooting.

I’m excited,” said Porzingis in an interview with Newsday. “I know he’s having a good season. He’s really playing at a good game level and it's going to be fun playing against him.”

Carmelo Anthony Compares His Future With Longtime Foe Kevin Garnett

Anthony, who displayed a 37 point performance last game, had some positive things to say about his former Boston rival Garnett. “That’s a guy who put a lot of miles into this league and did a lot of things, put a dent on this game,” told Anthony to the New York Post. “I’m pretty sure i’ll be in that situation in years to come."

The only thing I think about when I see Garnett and those guys: an era coming to an end," he added. “You got guys like Kobe [Bryant], seeing him announce. Garnett, Tim Duncan. You still got Vince [Carter] out there. But that era is about to come to an end. That means we’re up next.”

Hispanic Community Represented

-Towns has a Dominican mother and played for the Dominican national team when he was 16-years old.

-Anthony has a Puerto Rican father and has a tattoo on his right hand with the Puerto Rican flag. In an interview with the Daily News on Tuesday, Anthony said “Puerto Rican pride will be in the building. They’ll be watching on the island. I’m pretty sure the Dominicans will be watching it too. But we have love for the Dominicans.”

-Point guard’s Jose Calderon and Ricky Rubio are both Spaniard-born citizens.

-Robin Lopez is the son of a Cuban baseball player.

Gametime

Tip-off will come shortly after 7:30 P.M. EST.

VAVEL Logo
About the author