Knicks Face Off Against Rival Nets Tonight

The Knicks have an opportunity to make a statement tonight as they take on their Atlantic Division rivals in New Jersey at the Izod Center. If the NBA season is a long journey to the top, the Nets are a hurdle for the Knicks both literally and figuratively. New Jersey swept last year’s regular season and also defeated the Knicks twice this pre-season. More importantly, the Nets are 2.5 games up on New York in the division race. So, a win on the road against New Jersey would be a major accomplishment and confidence boost for the Knicks.

Though a win is much needed, the Knicks will be without Stephon Marbury, who is mourning the loss of his father.

His teammates are extremely supportive.

“I just try to be there for him…I feel his pain,” Zach Randolph said. “I feel really sorry for him…I know how it feels,” he added, referring to the recent death of his grandmother. “I just went through a loss.”

Though he encouraged him “to take his time,” Randolph feels confident that his teammate can survive, citing Marbury’s strength:

“I know he’s a strong guy. He’s got strong willpower…he’s going to be alright.”

To win despite the loss of their Captain the Knicks will need to take advantage of their deep bench.

“Sometimes you have to use all your tools in the toolshed to win,” Knicks President and Coach, Isiah Thomas, has said.

Mardy Collins, who has been injured of late, might be back for tomorrow’s game. Collins went for 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game in two games in relief of Marbury against the Nets last year. So if he is healthy enough to play on Wednesday night, the Knicks would welcome that production.

Fred Jones has filled in admirably for Marbury recently, most notably when he scored ten points in the fourth quarter last week against Milwaukee, all while playing stifling defense on Michael Redd.

“He is a big time player,” Marbury said of Jones, who may also be called upon to run the point Wednesday night against New Jersey.

A win over the Nets, under any circumstances, would be a huge boost for New York. But now, with the team dealing with so much emotionally, a victory over New Jersey would be an impressive feat.

“We’re just trying to focus…focus on this game. We’ve got a lot going on now…but right now it’s just ‘focus on tomorrow’ time,” Randolph said after practice Tuesday night.

Despite the distractions, Thomas understands the importance of this game.

“This is a game we would like to win. New Jersey has always been tough for us,” Thomas said. “Definitely, it’s a rivalry game and we’ll be ready to play.”

If the Knicks are to beat the Nets, it is no secret who the team must stop. New Jersey has a trio of stars who make them tough to beat. Jason Kidd’s 11 assists per contest is second in the league and he is 22nd in the league in rebounds, as a point guard, with almost nine per game. Vince Carter is averaging 19 points, five boards and four assists on 47 percent shooting thus far this season. And Richard Jefferson is enjoying his best year, putting in 25 points and collecting five rebounds, three assists and a steal every game.

Recent history suggests that those three are the ones the Knicks need to focus on as well. In four games against the Knicks last year, Carter netted 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game while Kidd put in 15 points, hauled in eight boards and dished ten assists in those games last year.

Though those three are the most obvious of the Nets weapons, New Jersey has other “tools” as well, including Antoine Wright and Bostjan Nachbar, who each put in 10 points per contest. Rookie Sean Williams has also contributed with eight points and five rebounds per game.

The Knicks will battle the Nets with a balanced offensive attack, featuring three players averaging 17 points a game or higher in Zach Randolph (18ppg), Eddy Curry (17) and Jamal Crawford (17). Moreover, New York is a better rebounding team than the Nets, a fact they will have to use to their advantage Wednesday night.