Pre-Game: Knicks vs. Timberwolves

Heeeeey guys. The Knicks play an unusual Sunday evening game tonight against the Timberwolves. At 5:00, the Knicks will tip off the final installment of their six-game home stand against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. This game'll make the difference between a fairly disappointing 3-3 showing over the home stand and a much less offensive 4-2.

And what challenge do the Wolves present? Even without Kevin Love, a considerable one, I bet. Minnesota's a pretty sharp defensive team well-equipped to combat New York's favorite attacks. They've got an effective pick-and-roll defense (and we saw from the Bulls how much a good pick-and-roll D can ruin New York's offense), a decent three-point defense, and a large, avian-looking Russian fellow they can throw at Carmelo Anthony.

Going the other way, nimble, creative guards like Ricky Rubio, Alexey Shved, and J.J. Barea (especially Barea) might puncture New York's flimsy perimeter defense and pull Tyson Chandler away from Nikola Pekovic.

I'm worried. The Knicks under Mike Woodson have been excellent at rebounding from ugly losses (that recent win over the Nets comes to mind), but I'm still worried. The Wolves are a crafty, fast(er)-paced team, and they could roll if the Knicks look as flat as they did on Friday against Chicago.

Meow. Game thread to come.