Official Game #46 Thread

Statistical Breakdown
W-L: NY 17-26, MN 9-36
NY record at home: 10-13
MN record on the road: 3-19 (including 7 game road losing streak)
Record in last 10: NY 4-6, MN 2-8
NY record against Western Conf. teams: 5-10
MN record against Eastern Conf. teams: 5-10
PPG: NY 100.3 (#14), MN 96.86 (#25)
OPP PPG: NY 102.95 (8th worst), MN 106.6 (3rd worst)
Offensive RPG: NY 10.0 (#25), MN 12.7 (#3)
Defensive RPG: NY 30.9 (#12), MN 31.6 (#9)
RPG: NY 40.9 (#21), MN 44.3 (#3)
Rebounding Diff: NY -3.7, MN +0.7
My Prediction: Knicks 112-100

Preview: Both New York and Minnesota are coming off of blow out losses (MIN lost 127-94, NY lost 128-78). Clearly both are struggling, but the Wolves are horrific on the road while NY is half way decent at home. Minnesota is a solid rebounding team while New York is a very poor rebounding team. Minnesota however finds a way to allow teams to stay equal to them on the glass and the Knicks have a very solid rebounder in David Lee. The Knicks have the advantage when it comes to coaching. If it wasn’t for Damien Wilkins I would give Minnesota the edge in the frontcourt, but I have to give NY the edge. The backcourt favors Minnesota because the Knicks plays with a essentially a power forward at the two spot. The bench play significantly favors the Knickerbockers. The key matchups are: Big Al vs. Lee, Love vs. Chandler, Duhon vs. Flynn, and Harrington vs. Gomes. Finally you can quote me on this:

“There will be no defense played at all in this game!”

Projected Lineups:
New York
PG Chris Duhon 8.3 PPG, 6.2 AST
SG Jared Jeffries 4.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG
SF Danilo Gallinari 14.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG
PF Wilson Chandler 14.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG
C David Lee 19.2 PPG, 11.4 RPG

Minnesota
PG Jonny Flynn 14.4 PPG, 4.2 AST
SG Corey Brewer 12.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG
SF Damien Wilkins 6.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG
PF Kevin Love 15.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG
C Al Jefferson 18.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG