The Knicks are looking to return to the level of success they enjoyed on Nov. 6 when they defeated Denver 119-112 at Madison Square Garden. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are 6-3 and have won four in a row since a three-game slide that included their loss to the Knicks.

On Nov. 6 at MSG, the Knicks were truly in a zone and their confidence level was sky high. Since then, most of the losses they have suffered have been games that could have gone either way, including Friday night's double-overtime heartbreaker in Sacramento.

"We've had several games where we've lost by two to three points. ... We've played some really close games,” Knicks President, Basketball Operations, and Head Coach Isiah Thomas said. "We need to continue to improve and get past that point where we can win those games and close those games out as opposed to coming out on the losing end of it."

In their earlier meeting with the Knicks at MSG, the Nuggets relied heavily on their stars, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, who combined for 56 of their team's 112 points. In the second half, however, New York was able to neutralize them somewhat, particularly Anthony, and the Knicks were able to win in a furious comeback.

That game against the Nuggets in The Garden was notable for another reason, as it marked the first big night for Eddy Currythis season. Curry had 24 points and eight rebounds in that game. More important, he took over the game defensively and on the boards during the team's fourth-quarter comeback. Curry has been very aggressive in his last three games, and there's no doubt that Denver got him going.

"Very rarely do you come in and talk about Eddy's defense and his rebounding, but that's the growth and the maturation that he's come to," Thomas said after the Nov. 6 win. "We all talked about the next step for him. … His offensive rebounding, his defensive rebounding, his shot-blocking are things that we are talking about."

Certainly, the Knicks will look to Curry to continue his recent assertive play, but the potential return of Zach Randolph would be a welcome sight, too. Randolph, averaging over 19 points and 14.5 rebounds on the season, has missed three of the last four games due to the death of his grandmother. If he is able to make it from the funeral to Denver in time for tonight's game, he will add another dimension to this Knicks team.

Offensively, Randolph opens up many options, as he commands a double-team almost anywhere on the floor. He has been really missed on defense, however, where his rebounding and his communication on defense helps spur his team.

"Both those guys, they're a load inside," Thomas said of the Curry-Randolph tandem. "They play physical, they play tough. They're the meat and potatoes. Every night we play through those two guys."

Though Randolph could return, a major contributor from the first game against Denver might be unable to play. Renaldo Balkman, who injured his ankle on Tuesday night against Phoenix, is questionable for tonight's game. The whole tenor of the Nov. 6 game changed as soon as Balkman started to guard Anthony. Anthony scored only 10 points with Balkman covering him and several Knicks pointed to their teammate's impressive defense as the key to victory.

"He came in and changed the game for us. He can do so many things for you: his ball handling ability, his shot-blocking ability, and his ability to defend out on the perimeter. I mean he's a special kind of athlete, and he played with great intelligence and great poise… He was huge for us," Thomas said.

The Knicks will have to be on top of their game tonight, if they hope to take down the hot Nuggets.

"Our group is committed to winning ... our group wants to win," Thomas said. "Our problem is that we haven't defended well enough at the end of the game, and we haven't taken enough care of the ball."

If Randolph returns, it will certainly be a lift for the Knicks. Given their history and the manner in which they beat the Nuggets earlier this month, a Knicks win in Denver could be precisely what the team needs to get back on track.

Thomas would not make more of this game than any other, however:

"It's important to win every game," he said.