Knicks beat Nets 88-82

New York, NY-- The New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets played their final pre-season game tonight at Madison Square Garden. The crowd was into the game from the opening tip to the end. The Knicks started Toney Douglas, Landry Fields, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler. The Knicks went up early, but the Nets were able to battle back to take the lead. After the first quarter the Nets found themselves up by five as they looked for their first pre-season win. Carmelo Anthony found his stroke early on as he was able to score 17 points in the first half. He was able to get a bunch of open shots along with the ability to score one-on-one. Anthony looked better in the first half then he did the entire game in the Knicks first pre-season game. The Knicks had excellent continuity in the second quarter despite being tied to end the second quarter.

The Knicks passed on injury news, this time from Mike Bibby who was suffering from back spasms and he wouldn’t return. The third quarter saw a slow starting Toney Douglas come alive as he scored 7 points in that quarter. He didn’t run offense smoothly, but he was able to contribute by giving the Knicks some points. Carmelo Anthony was held to just four points in that quarter despite having a strong start to the game. The Knicks were able to close out the third quarter with a one point lead. The fourth quarter saw Toney Douglas continue his great second half as he was able to hit a early three that put the Knicks up by four points. He looked more like himself in the second half as he was able to score with ease and confidence. Douglas just has to relax and play his game if he wants to have success starting for the Knicks.

The Knicks would allow the Nets to take the lead, but they were able to regain control. Renaldo Balkman led the charge with two blocks as he sparked the team on the defensive end. He continues to play very well early on this season and could possibly be in the rotation. The Knicks second unit played some excellent defense for the last five minutes of the game as they held the Nets to just two points in the last five minutes of the game. The Knicks would win 88-82 and swept the Nets in two pre-season games.