Pre-Game: Nets vs. Knicks 7:30 PM

The New York Knicks will host the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden tonight. After their big win over the Dallas Mavericks the Knicks are wanting to win this game against their division foe. The Nets are coming off a lost to the Milwaukee Bucks where they lost 92-85. The Nets want to get a win against the Knicks which they have been unable to do all season.

The Knicks new star Jeremy Lin continues to prove that he can play in the NBA. Lin yesterday scored 28 points and dished out a career high 14 assists. He is playing very well considering all of the minutes he’s on the floor. Last night Lin played 46 minutes yesterday, but the team flourishes with him on the court. Without him the Knicks have struggled to find shots and or get to the basket. Tonight expect the same from Lin who lit the Nets up earlier this month.

Carmelo Anthony is a game time tonight and at this moment it is unclear if Anthony will play tonight. Anthony is shooting and tonight seems like a more likely return for the Knicks star forward.

Amare Stoudemire had a quiet day offensively yesterday as he scored just 11 points. Stoudemire has looked sluggish to say the least since his return, but tonight expect him to be himself against the Nets. This team needs Stoudemire to be the leader offensively tonight and give them the advantage early on.

Tyson Chandler has been playing very well, but yesterday Chandler injured both his back and wrist when he fell multiple times. The Knicks are expected to re-evaluate him before tonight’s game. If Chandler is unable to go the Knicks will have a major hole in their front court. Chandler did have X-rays, but those came back negative.

Steve Novak played his biggest game yesterday as he scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to help spark the Knicks past the Mavs. Novak has had his share of big shots this season, but yesterday he hit big shot after big shot. The Knicks will keep him in the rotation if he can keep scoring. His role has increased this year and he is proving that he should play every game.

Deron Williams has had a very good season, but losing is starting to get to him. Expect him to come out ready to play and stop the Knicks from winning another game. Anthony Morrow and MarShon Brooks are two players the Nets have that can really score the ball. The Knicks will need to shut them down in order to win this game. Brooks has been playing very well since his return from injury. He is a very great scorer so the Knicks will need their off guards to play very hard on the defensive side of the ball.

This game is a big game for the Knicks simply because you want to keep winning. After beating a good team yesterday losing to a bad team will make people speculate to if the team is really that good. Tonight look for the Knicks to come out wanting to beat the Nets and put them away early. This game will start at 7:30 PM live on MSG and YES. Let’s go Knicks!