Jalen Brunson and the Knicks take on Cade Cunningham and the young Pistons.
Game Information:
Matchup: Pistons (3-9) at Nets (5-6)
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Time: 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT
Watch: MSG Network
Injury Report:
NYK:
Quentin Grimes - Questionable (sore foot)
Mitchell Robinson - Out (sprained knee)
DET:
Alec Burks - Probable (navicular fracture)
Marvin Bagley III - Questionable (knee sprain)
Cade Cunningham - Questionable (shin)
Hamidou Diallo - Questionable (hip)
The Knicks hope to bounce back tonight after an embarrassing performance two nights ago against the Nets. Detroit is on the other side of the contention spectrum than the Nets are. They have a bunch of productive young guys like their former 1st overall pick and potential All-Star Cade Cunningham and 2022 5th overall pick Jaden Ivey. But they also have some great younger role players like Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren. The Knicks will have to keep up with the energy that Detroit will bring tonight. Because they love to get up and down the court.
Tonight's Knicks Storyline - Any Adjustments?
We all know Tom Thibodeau by now. Adjustments from game to game aren't his thing. But something new is needed. Especially after a 27-point loss. Defensive adjustments are needed. I'm a big Jalen Brunson guy, but he can't be just running around defensively looking for his man (who is often a primary ball-handler). Maybe switch Brunson onto a guy who doesn't have that much movement, or at least doesn't have the ball as much.
Then offensively, can we PRETTY PLEASE get Obi Toppin playing with Julius Randle? Because it's too obvious that it works. It feels like everyone in the arena knows the answer, except for the Head Coach. While he had a bad game on Wednesday, every time Toppin comes in the game, he doubles the energy. Add that with Randle's ball-handling and shooting, and it makes a solid duo.
Who to Stop - Saddiq Bey
These two teams last faced off on October 21st, and Saddiq Bey quietly went off against the Knicks' defense. He finished the contest with 26 Points on 9 for 15 shooting and has consistently torched the Knicks in his short career. In his last 4 games against New York, the Villanova product has averaged 21.8 PPG and 6.5 RPG. So if the Knicks' arsenal of wing defenders like RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish can hold Bey to under 20 Points, I'd make a bold prediction and say the Knicks win the game.
Key of the Game - Ball Movement
I hate to keep referring to the game against the Nets. But it was so evident on Wednesday that the Knicks need better ball movement. It seems like Jalen Brunson is the only guy willing to pass the ball or move it upcourt. The Nets just beat the Knicks will simple ball movement on Wednesday. If Julius Randle or Cam Reddish or Evan Fournier could just make the extra pass to an open big down low or a more wide-open shooter, the offense would easily add another 7 to 10 points per game.
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