Long but interesting...

http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/pp0506_NYK_051207.html
Pinto’s Preview - Clippers vs. Knicks
By Matt Pinto | POSTED: December 7th, 2005

TONIGHT'S
GAME: vs
Where: STAPLES Center
When: 7:30pm PST

Tuesday night in the NBA...KNICKS 104, SONICS 101 IN SEATTLE--HELLO!!!

That final score should sufficiently grab the attention of the Clippers entering their Wednesday night (December 7 at 7:30pm) collision with 6-11 New York at the Staples Center. You see, the young Knicks are the only squad on the current five game L.A. home stand with a losing record. That fact concerns Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy!

Immediately following Los Angeles' ten point triumph over Eastern Conference title contender Miami on Monday night, Dunleavy strongly admonished his team not to overlook the Knickerbockers. Tuesday's New York win on the road against a Supersonics team that had ripped off three consecutives victories themselves going in should underline Dunleavy's message boldly. The 12-5 Pacific Division pace-setting Clippers have handled Cleveland and the Heat back to back by double-digits in this stretch, with sizzling hot Phoenix to come Saturday, followed by the two-time defending Eastern Conference kings Detroit on Sunday looming ahead L.A. can't afford to slip here.

That said, there is injury adversity to overcome in this game. Corey Maggette, a 21ppg offensive contributor this season, sprained his left foot in the third quarter of Monday's conquest of Miami. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed no serious structural damage, but it also revealed a moderate sprain that is likely to keep Maggette in street clothes for this one at least. That would be a damaging loss against an opponent that is loaded with athleticism. New York possesses high risers Channing Frye and Trevor Ariza and the explosive scoring punch of Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford and rookie Nate Robinson.

The other element the Knicks offer up that will challenge a Maggette-less Clippers club is their offensive rebounding ability. New York is tops in the NBA in retrieval percentage thanks to the hard-nosed Antonio Davis and Malik Rose and the sheer size of big men Eddy Curry and Jerome James. It remains to be seen if the Knicks come into Staples a bit complacent after stunning the Sonics on Tuesday night, but don't bank on that. This squad's coached by the meticulous Larry Brown who's demanded effort defensively and competitiveness to remain on the court. The Knicks have followed an 0-5 start with a 6-6 mark since. They're clearly a work in progress leading the league in turnovers, sitting 28th of 30 teams in free throw accuracy and a sub-par 23rd in scoring. But they are deep, well-coached and could be dangerous given the circumstances surrounding this one.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
:: The Knicks to double-team Elton Brand every time he catches the ball to force someone other than the white-hot Clippers power forward to beat them. Expect that strategy especially if L.A. is without Maggette. If Maggette sits, Quinton Ross is likely to replace him in the starting line-up. Ross' man defensively is likely the one who'll double Brand, leaving 'Q' (a shaky 40% field goal shooter) to attempt to make New York pay by making perimeter jumpers. Brand is averaging 33ppg over the past three games and is in the greatest shooting flow of his career from mid-range. Larry Brown's likely to do all that he can to keep him from finding a comfort zone in this game.

:: Mike Dunleavy to give both James Singleton and Walter McCarty looks off the bench in an attempt to fill the void left by Maggette's anticipated absence. Singleton could thrive in this game against the Knicks youthful athleticism. Remember he posted back to back double-doubles in the season's first two games when Maggette was sidelined by a strained left hamstring. McCarty's yet to get into shooting rhythmn since recovering from a lacerated right thumb earlier this season. He's capable to hurting New York with his three point shooting if the Clippers can get him going offensively.

:: Quinton Ross' defense against Jamal Crawford to be critical to this game's outcome. Crawford put on an extraordinary shooting show in the second half of Tuesday's Knicks upset win in Seattle, drilling 8-13 shots including 4-4 from three point range in pouring in a season-high 31 points ALL AFTER INTERMISSION. He's a streaky, explosive force. It will take all that Ross has got to deter him and keep him reasonably quiet in this game.

:: Cuttino Mobley to ascend and come through with one of his best offensive outings of the season. 'Cat' will be revved up and ready to take some of the shots generally reserved for Maggette. He knocked down 2-4 three pointers, one at a critical juncture of the fourth quarter Monday versus Miami and appears primed for bigger things against a New York team that lacks a strong perimeter defender at the shooting guard spot. Mobley can have his way with Marbury, Crawford, and Penny Hardaway if he gets going early in this game. And you can expect point guard Sam Cassell to make it a point to get him into a flow from the outset.

On paper, even if Maggette sits this is a game that the Clippers should win. The Knicks are a bit like the girl with the curl, when they're good they're capable of knocking off quality opponents but when they're bad they are among the league's WORST.

With their depth hit hard in the absence of Zeljko Rebraca, Shaun Livingston and likely Maggette here Los Angeles must muster a strong defensive effort from the opening tip in this game to keep the Knicks from getting any wild ideas about springing the upset. Ideally, the Clippers will take care of business on the boards after forcing the Knicks to take tough shots. New York is a poor shooting team, while L.A. leads the NBA is field goal percentage allowed. If Mike Dunleavy's squad can establish a dominant defensive tone in the early stages and get off to a sizable early lead it is strong enough to deliver another wire to wire win on it's home floor.

However, if the Knicks get rolling early on the heels of their outstanding second half showing Tuesday night in Seattle they could prove a night long pest and keep this much closer than the Clippers would like for it to be. With the Clippers Pacific Division edge just one half game over both Phoenix and Golden State entering the evening, hopefully each L.A. player will recognize the importance of asserting their will forcefully to insure win number 13, with it continued possession of the division's top spot.

Knicks by 5.

OK, well, he didn't say Knicks by 5, but it sure sounded like it.

pretty long, but it does appear the knicks are beginning to get the respect they deserve...and Curry is still hurt and Q is adios (hopefully he doesn't turn TT the rest of the year...family distractions can be a btch, but he's been through this once before at an early age with a previous brother, so he should be fine by the new year)

Come on KNICKS!!!