Game Preview: Knicks vs Blazers, 2/6/2021

Hey let’s get this thing rolling. Early game today against the Trail Blazers. Portland is coming off a bigly loss to the Sixers. I mean, maybe the biggest loss, ever.

Joel Embiid had 37 points and Damian Lillard was out. You trying to tell me CJ McCollum Elleby got the job done? I don’t thank so!

Yea, dispute these buckets, fools! Whatever happened in the city of brotherly love is up for debate I suppose.

Last time these slimes got together, the Knicks made a wacky run at coming back and, ya know, didn’t. Damian Lillard went berserk and the Knicks started trapping him in the second half. That’s when Immanuel Quickley grabbed the reins. The kid nearly brought them back singlehandedly.

It was fun.

But it was a loss that helped drop the Knicks in a rut that they’re trying to build their way out of now. Ain’t been none much fun neither!

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Projected Starters

Despite missing their previous game, Damian Lillard should be good to go today.

Elfrid Payton v Damian Lillard

Reggie Bullock v Gary Trent Jr.

RJ Barrett v Derrick Jones Jr.

Julius Randle v Robert Covington

Mitchell Robinson v Enes Kanter

Yep. I’m tired of Elfrid and the conversation around him too. He is not good, we get it. He’s no Frank. He’s better than Austin Rivers though and so is Frank Ntilikina if we’re keeping it cinched up like a buckle.

Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images

Keys & Predictions

Maybe the Knicks will get into trapping Lillard a lil’ earlier and daring others to make plays. That’s looking for trouble in a certain way. How often can you survive 4-on-3’s over the course of a game? And how long before Lillard isn’t your pressing concern, and then bing, Damian rings your bell.

What might need to happen is Julius Randle should take Enes Kanter’s late game shenanigans (from the game in Portland) to task for getting him bounced. And drop another 40-piece on his slow ass.

It seems about time for Jules to drop another 40-ball, in my epically humble opinion. Fuck his ass up, bro.

Knicks by -40

Photo By: Gene Kappock/NY Daily News via Getty Images

Parting Shot

He wasn’t my Vydas, or your Vydas, he was... well... their Vydas. Arvydas Sabonis’ legacy lives on with his son Domantas ripping through the NBA highways and byways. Arvydas was an absolutely charming and dominating force despite getting to the NBA after his prime. A bonafide trickster, mesmerizing crowds and opponents. If you don’t remember, the closest player we have stylistically to Arvydas these days is Nikola Jokic. Have a gander.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images