Game Preview: Knicks vs Pistons, 3/4/2021

Everything was going according to plan, man. Then San Antonio dug their spurs into the wings of our beautiful pegasus. New York’s mojo just wasn’t quite working right their whole time in ‘Tonio. It seems that, as much as Julius Randle has been indomitable, New York really relies on the lead guard’s penetration to get out of the starters blocks. Derrick Rose was a late scratch and his constant speed and pressure attacking the rim was sorely missed. It was too bad but the drubbers became the drub-ees.

Without Rose’s kamikaze stylings, an uneasy chemistry between Frank Ntilikina and Julius started to unfold. Eventually working itself out bit by bit as the game wore on. The Knicks were just in too severe a hole. Still some decent two man gunk begat one run where Frank even canned a trio of threes in the second half from the corners. As has been the case all year, if Julius sees something that can be turned into an advantage he’ll seek it’s heat.

Now it’s back home for the Knicks to face that unit they beat the brakes off in Detroit. The Pistons had an incredible game last night, beating the Raptors (playing without three starters), with two players getting triple-doubles.

If Frank Ntilikina gets to sink his teeth in, expect Dennis Smith to be milked into the shreddedest wheat of all time. DSJ just doesn’t get enough credit for having a shitty handle. He may have had a triple double last night in an emphatic win over declawed and fanged Toronto Raptors but I implore you to ignore this information. The truth of the matter is there will be no hope for him and I’d even bet on not seeing one single basket while matched up. A certified donut robot. Frank got that dank.

Photo by Richard Pilling/NBAE via Getty Images

Projected Starters

Apparently an inconclusive COVID test held Rose out in San Antonio. He since got four consecutive negatives and can rejoin the team. As much as they missed Rose, Frank Ntilikina was showing signs of life after getting the starting nod. He’d still need to be a more electric driver to be handed the keys. A lesser team like the Pistons would be a nice way to test the water on just what he’s bringing to the table but going all out to get a win headed into the All Star Break could work wonders for this young team. Just the same it’s been a decent little return to action for the dapper fella from Ixelles.

Derrick Rose v Dennis Smith Jr.

Reggie Bullock v Wayne Ellington

RJ Barrett v Svi Mykhailiuk

Julius Randle v Saddiq Bey

Nerlens Noel v Mason Plumlee

The Pistons may be without Jerami Grant again who is day-to-day with a quadriceps injury and missed their contest last night against the Raptors. That could be a wrap for them cus uh... even though they smoked Toronto yesterday, I do not believe in it and neither should you.

Keys & Predictions

How bad are Nerlens Noel’s hands, b? His fumbles are just throwing money on the ground and those rotten kids from all the other teams simply pick it up and run away with it. As fantastic as he’s been in Mitchell Robinson’s stead defensively, I can’t wait for Mitchell to return and clamp his mitts onto the damn ball.

Former Knick, Wayne Ellington, is having no trouble catching and subsequently shooting the ball. Getting the ball to go in has been a whole other basketball of wax but he brought the heater last night!

Something tells me the Pistons defense will give Nerlens time to chop at the ball, pick it up with his hooves and flump it home with a feathered clop. If not, at least we know he’ll bring the pain on defense. Slapping and whapping everything in his jurisdiction.

Knicks by -3

Parting Shot

This is one of those ones. Can’t leave the money on the floor. This is a very beatable team and the Knicks own their second round pick. So there should be the added pressure from the front office to make the Pistons feel the hurt. After the game, go home to your families, cus it’s All Star time in Atlanta. Obi Toppin and Julius Randle will be representing New York.

Get the money, Dollar Bill, so on/forth. Let’s go the Knicks!