Day: January 5, 2018

2017-18 Game Thread: Knicks @ Heat

The Knicks travel to Miami to see if they can win two games from the Heat on the Heat’s home court. The Knicks kicked the Heat’s ass in their last meeting in Miami, which saw the Heat play without Hassan Whiteside, but the Knicks also played without Kristaps Porzingis for most of that game.

So this, really, will be sort of a new look for both teams.

It will be interesting to see who the Heat use on Porzingis defensively. Obviously, Kelly Olynyk will start on him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Heat try to use James Johnson on Porzingis a bit. If that happens, Porzingis simply has to use his size over Johnson and not let Johnson push him around.

Speaking of “pushing around,” let’s hope that Goran Dragic sees a steady diet of Frank Ntilikina tonight and not Jarrett “I can’t defend” Jack.

Let’s go, Knicks!

Knicks Morning News (2018.01.05)

  • [NYTimes] Sixers’ Throwback Anthem Becomes the Soundtrack of a Comeback
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 9:33:48 PM)

    The star turns of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have Philadelphia fans cheering again — and dancing to the disco sounds of “Here Come the Sixers.”

  • [ESPN] Greek Freak ahead of LeBron on All-Star ballots
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 6:42:04 PM)

    Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James by nearly 7,500 votes after the first 12 days of the All-Star fan vote.

  • [ESPN] Porzingis: ‘I’m tired’ after playing back-to-back
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 2:38:19 PM)

    Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis says he’s tired after playing back-to-back games. “I have one day now to rest my legs and then get back and play better and have more energy,” he said, “and also try and bring the team’s energy up.”

  • [SNY Knicks] Hornacek wants Knicks to play faster, says it’ll help Porzingis
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 10:45:46 PM)

    Jeff Hornacek wants the Knicks to play faster to make life easier for Kristaps Porzingis.

  • [SNY Knicks] Porzingis fourth in all-star voting for front-court, Kanter ninth
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 7:55:50 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis is on the outside looking in to start in the all-star game, currently fourth in front-court voting.

  • [SNY Knicks] Michael Beasley talks Erik Spoelstra ahead of Heat clash
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 5:45:48 PM)

    Michael Beasley returns to Miami to face the team who drafted him second overall in 2008, and he didn’t exactly heap praise on former coach Erik Spoelstra.

  • [SNY Knicks] Daily News Live: Is being tired an excuse?
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 5:49:39 PM)

  • [SNY Knicks] Why the Knicks should be calling up Trey Burke on Friday
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 4:30:55 PM)

    Calling up guard Trey Burke from the G-League Westchester Knicks on Friday is a move that has to be made, and one that makes perfect sense to make.

  • [SNY Knicks] Porzingis admits he is drained following ugly loss to Wizards
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 8:28:29 AM)

    Kristaps Porzingis admits he is starting to feel fatigued after the Knicks’ bad 121-103 loss to the Wizards on the road Wednesday night.

  • [NYDN] Some in Knicks organization want to call up Trey Burke
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 8:53:14 PM)

    The Knicks’ offense is floundering and there’s a desire from some in the organization to call up their G-League star Trey Burke.

  • [NYDN] Doctor explains how anemia could impact Porzingis’ health
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 3:42:33 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis was diagnosed with anemia eight years ago.

  • [NYDN] Porzingis made worst kind of concession with ‘tired’ excuse
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 9:32:58 AM)

    Kristaps Porzingis spent the day in Miami presumably resting up for Friday’s game against the Miami Heat.

  • [NYPost] NBA scout: It’s ‘idiotic’ to label Porzingis a franchise player
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 1:19:59 PM)

    MIAMI — Kristaps Porzingis has struggled recently living up to the designation as Knicks franchise player, admitting fatigue through 38 games. Two European-based scouts aren’t surprised, suggesting the natural makeup of an international player isn’t best suited for that role. They see Porzingis as an All-Star — just not necessarily a superstar. Tim Shea, a…

  • [NYPost] Michael Beasley reopens wound with coach who didn’t ‘believe’
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 11:47:24 AM)

    MIAMI — Michael Beasley has bounced around in the NBA, but often he’s bounced right back to the Heat. Three times. When the sliding Knicks (18-20) face the scorching Heat on Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena, Beasley will face his former team with some pangs of regret. Not once in Miami did Beasley weave the sustained…

  • [NY Newsday] Kristaps Porzingis tiring as Knicks near halfway point of season
    (Thursday, January 04, 2018 6:23:46 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis was looking forward to a day off in Miami. A little sunshine, vitamin D and some R&R may be just what he needs.