Game Preview: Knicks vs Hornets

Knicks got to get up and go today. Quick and the dead out on the courts this weekend. There’s a six game aperitif and then the league has a swashbuckling Sunday with all 30 teams playing and a lot of jostling up and down the seeds.

With New York still trying to chase down the fourth seed. They need to win these last two games as well having Miami lose once. Atlanta is one game up in the win column, but if New York catches them, they’ll have the tiebreaker.

The Hornets meanwhile cannot move up but are currently tied with the Pacers at 33-37. Depending on your perspective, they could want to win to increase their chances of being matched up with the 2-seed. Or risk losing to increase their chances of facing the 1-seed. Who ya want, Nets or Sixers? I dunno. Maybe just stay healthy? Don’t try to trade a playin certainty for the playoff unknown.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Projected Starters

The Knicks will likely still be without Derrick Rose but everyone else is officially back.

Except for Mitchell Robinson. My goodness, he’d be helpful in the playoffs.

Elfrid Payton v LaMelo Ball

Reggie Bullock v Terry Rozier

RJ Barrettv Jalen McDaniels

Julius Randle v PJ Washington

Nerlens Noel v Bismack Biyombo

No Gordon Hayward for the Hornets as they rumble toward whatever the hell happens next. They’re also pumping the brakes hitting a tight corner with Miles Bridges sitting in the COVID protocol. He might be back for the finale.

Cody Martin is also out, but I bet it’s Caleb actually out and they’re tricking James Borrego into giving Cody some extra minutes.

Keys & Predictions

Tonight could be the dropsy bowl, with Nerlens Noel and Bismack Biyombo hatcheting their way through the lane with several sets of stone hands. LaMelo Ball will get frustrated for hitting Biyombo in the belly with wild slings. Elfrid Payton will just coast 40MPH lobs off the glass where Nerlens couldn’t get it even if he turned into Randy Moss for that moment.

You know who the Knicks are and you know the stakes. How badly do they want fourth? Whatever happens health is the only thing that matters.

Games is at 1:00, Knicks by -24.

Parting Shot

This is my penultimate season preview. Will be dropping a manifesto tomorrow because I wanted to tie a nice ribbon on my time here at Posting and Toasting. One of my all time favorite players was Baron Davis. Years ago I asked him on Twitter to make it his life’s mission to be the guy that replaces Clyde when the time comes. He said would honor that. Seems like he instead turned his focus to buying Reebok with Master P. I’m not mad but I think it’s safe to say he tried to trick me!

Photo credit should read NELL REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images