Game Preview: Knicks @ Nets, 1/13/2021

Crosstown beef

By Jonathan Schulman@aighttho Jan 13, 2021, 3:00pm EST

Here we are, friends. Proudly above the fray, the overachieving Knickerbockers (5-6) finally square off against the mutton chopped hipster parade from across the Hudson, Brooklyn’s own, the Nets (6-6). It took nearly two years to get a look at it, but they can finally face Kevin Durant and Kyr… well... DeAndre Jordan might be there. He got the demotion from starting center to 15-20 bench minutes guy and then was given a DNP-CD yesterday but there’s a rivalry? I guess? You know I’m really not sure who’ll be there. Hold on let’s have a looksee.

Projected Starters

Elfrid Payton vs. Bruce Brown (no relation to Bruce Beck)

Austin Rivers vs. Joe Harris

RJ Barrett vs. Kevin Durant

Julius Randle vs. Jeff Green

Mitchell Robinson vs. Jarrett Allen

With the Knicks still ailing from multiple injuries, the return of Obi Toppin and reintegration of Taj Gibson might help the team get some much needed in-game rest as well as a bit of play finishing. Something a guy like Nerlens Noel has truly suffered at. This kid from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is still going to keep every lineup in the pressure cooker if he is going to be the worst non-shooter on the floor game by game but hey, the floor used to always be tight! Thirty-three miles in the snow, both ways.

Keys & Predictions

Well stopping Kevin Durant comes to mind. That could be a concern. It will be nice to see if RJ Barrett just muscles up on that skinny bum wheel head ass but he’ll probably get lumped up with some early foul trouble if he tries to pressure KD too much.

Second night of a back to back for the Nets, coming off a win over the Nuggets. If you don’t remember the Nuggets just absolutely demolished the Knicks a couple nights ago. Hopefully that doesn’t mean these teams are that far apart. Can Julius Randle get a double nickel?

Knicks by -5

Warm Up Music

That’s not enough in my opinion.