Brandon Knight-Iman Shumpert matchup highlights Pistons-Knicks
Essentials
- Teams: New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
- Date: Jan. 7, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: Fox Sports Detroit Plus, NBA League Pass
Records
- Pistons: 2-5
- Knicks: 3-4
Interesting note. Pistons have played toughest schedule in the league. Knicks the easiest. .667 vs .358
Probable starters
Pistons:
Knicks:
- Iman Shumpert
- Landry Fields
- Carmelo Anthony
- Amar’e Stoudemire
- Tyson Chandler
Las Vegas projection
Spread: Pistons +4.5
Over/under: 190.5
Score: Knicks win, 97.5-93
Three things to watch
1. Time to score
Scoring per possession across the NBA is down from last year, but the Pistons’ inability to score has been especially pronounced. Thankfully, the Knicks – 21st in defensive rating (105.1) and 25th in opponent effective field goal percentage (51.2) – might provide the elixir. If the Pistons don’t pick up their offense tonight, well, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would be disappointing.
2. Defending Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony (29.1 points per game on 49 percent 2-point shooting and 38 percent 3-point shooting, 3.9 assists per game and 9.4 free throw attempts per game) has been awesome offensively so far this season. Tayshaun Prince, who’s banged up and has looked a step slow lately, will likely guard Anthony first. If that doesn’t work, I’d like to see Jonas Jerebko get a crack at it.
Brandon Knight will make his second straight start, after he was up and down last night.* He’ll go against Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert, which should be a fun matchup. Knight obviously has a lot to learn, but it will be interesting to compare him to another rookie.
*Rodney Stuckey is still out with an injury, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com, and so is Charlie Villanueva. Ben Gordon will return after missing yesterday’s game due to personal reasons, according to Dave Pemberton of The Oakland Press.
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Jan 7, 2012 • 9:29 pm
by Kk
Ugh this game is disgusting.