The New York Knicks turned their attention to a crucial stretch run that will include games against two teams that are below them in the standings. The three-day break between games was “much needed,” according to forward RJ Barrett.
Yet, before the Knicks (42-33) can direct their concentration toward the Miami Intensity and Cleveland Cavaliers, both of whom they will confront not long from now, they will have the Houston Rockets on Monday in their most memorable activity since a 111-106 street misfortune to the Orlando Wizardry on Thursday, a game that wrapped up a stretch of 11 games since Walk 3, with eight of those out and about.
Between the Cavaliers, who are in fourth place, the Heat, who are in sixth place, and the Brooklyn Nets, who are tied for sixth, the Knicks are fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The odds of New York securing home-court advantage in the first round appear minuscule at best because it is five games behind Cleveland in the loss column. However, New York is on the verge of securing a playoff berth and avoiding the play-in tournament.
The Rockets and their five-game losing streak begin day one. However, the Knicks must come back from six losses in nine games after a season-best nine-game winning streak, with three of their next four games taking place at home.
In the Rockets’ 108-91 defeat to the Cavaliers on Sunday, Jalen Green scored his 14th 30-point game of the season, continuing his season-ending surge. In order to score 30 points, the second-year player made 10 of 17 field goals and 5 of 11 3-pointers. This is the fourth time in six games that Green has made at least 10 field goals.
The Rockets’ overall perimeter shooting is still a problem (18-57). Barring Green, the Rockets shot 1 of 14 from behind the bend against the Cavaliers, and that absence of extra 3-direct dangers hinders Green and his capacity toward challenge guards off the spill.
The Rockets start the NBA season last with a 32.6 percent 3-point shooting percentage on Monday.
