Game Day: Knicks @ Nets, 4/5/21
The Knicks continue their “road” trip a stone’s throw from home. Kevin Durant won’t be back for the Nets after all. Can the Knicks pull out the upset?
The Knicks are riding high after their biggest win since 1996 the other night. Unfortunately, they’re going from the worst team in the East to arguably the best — though the Nets will once again be without Kevin Durant, who seemed ready to roll, but apparently is too scared of Julius Randle to play just yet.
The Nets are coming off of a loss to the Bulls in Chicago just last night, though, so perhaps there’s an opening for the Knicks here facing a Nets team on the second game of a road-and-home back-to-back. They will, however, be getting back (much as it pains me to admit) potential MVP candidate James Harden tonight, who absolutely ripped the Knicks a new ass the last time these two played a few weeks back with a 21/15/14 triple-double.
In addition to Durant, the Nets will also be without Blake Griffin, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Johnson in this game. That lack of shooting depth could maybe give the Knicks an opportunity to snatch a win here, considering their only injury of note is the continued absence of Mitchell Robinson.
So, what are the keys to this game? For one, the Knicks will just need to get a little lucky. If Kyrie or Harden really get hot, you’re going to have to hope that the rest of the team isn’t going off. If both of them get going, you’ve pretty much already lost. But even if both Kyrie and Harden aren’t shooting great, there’s always the chance that Joe Harris and the Nets’ shooters could go crazy.
Either way, Durant and Griffin both being out could be a huge swing factor, because that means that no matter what direction the Nets choose to go in, Julius Randle should have an appetizing matchup. If Nic Claxton starts, chances are he gets tasked with protecting the paint and sticking to Nerlens Noel. That’ll leave Randle with the old and slow-footed LaMarcus Aldridge attempting to check him, which is less than likely to work out well for the Nets. If they start Jeff Green with Aldridge, then it’ll probably be Green on Randle. We got to see how that worked last time around: Randle ended with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists on 13-27 shooting.
The other key here could be if Elfrid Payton can continue playing like he did the other night. Yes, he wasn’t perfect, but he at least looked to drive and kick and get others involved in the offense, which is the ideal if he has to start at point guard (which I’ve kinda just resigned myself to him doing as long as he’s on the Knicks at this point).
Either way, it should be quite the entertaining game. Game’s at 7 PM on NBATV and MSG. Feel free to comment along here or hang with us on Twitter!
