Pre-Game: Knicks vs. Mavericks 8:30 PM

The New York Knicks will play the Dallas Mavericks tonight for the second time this season. In the first match-up Jeremy Lin stole the show with his great scoring and excellent ability to change the game. He was really pivotal for the Knicks in that game who were without Carmelo Anthony at that time.

Tonight will be a very tough task for the Knicks who are looking for a really big road win. Tyson Chandler will be presented his championship ring before the game. This will really be an emotional moment for Chandler. Chandler was a major piece to the Mavericks run last season. Even with the wrist injury Chandler stated that he will play through the pain. The only way Chandler will miss any games will be when he feels that he is hurting the team. Until then Chandler will remain in his starting role continuing to be the anchor the Knicks need defensively.

This is a big game for the Knicks two stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Jeremy Lin has played very well since his rise three weeks ago. Tonight will be filled with lots of pressure and it is likely that Lin will not be very impactful. Anthony and Stoudemire have to be leaders in games like these. Lin hasn’t been around long to be in pressure situations and if they can take away some of the pressure they could win this game.

The second unit will need to continue to provide the scoring touch and defensive game they have shown over the last two games. Steve Novak has scored in double figures in the last four games and tonight should have plenty of shot opportunities. Novak has provided the scores the Knicks lacked to start the season. He will play alongside with JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, Baron Davis, and Jared Jeffries tonight. That unit has showed that they have the ability to change the game for the Knicks. That ability has allowed them to give the Knicks solid leads and put them in positions to win.

This game tonight will be watched very closely by many just to see how good the Knicks are. This team is still figuring things out, they have the potential to be really good this season, but that remains to be seen. This game can be watched on either NBA TV or MSG at 8:30 PM. Let’s go Knicks!