Game Info:
New York Knicks (23-29) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (29-20)
Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m.)
TV: MSG, Radio: ESPN NY 98.7
Knicks Report:
The Knicks erased a 27-point deficit last night in Detroit, but couldn't hang on as Reggie Jackson led the Pistons to victory with a pair of clutch 3-pointers down the stretch. Derek Fisher challenged his club at halftime to be more aggressive offensively, and New York responded by shooting over 55 percent from the field in the second half. Carmelo Anthony (19 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) set the tone as a facilitator, and Robin Lopez (26 points and 16 rebounds) and Arron Afflalo (24 points) followed suit to aid the comeback effort.
Tonight, they'll look to carry forward the momentum from the rally in a rematch with Memphis at The Garden. In their first matchup, on January 16th, Marc Gasol exploded for 37 points to lift the Grizzlies over an Anthony-less Knicks squad.
News and Notes:
- Jose Calderon returned to the starting lineup and played 12 minutes after missing four games with a groin injury. Langston Galloway logged 35 minutes, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to nearly lead the Knicks to victory.
- Lopez has emerged as a force in the paint, averaging 13.3 points and 9.0 boards while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor in his last 10 games.
- Despite ranking 22nd in offensive efficiency and 17th on D, Memphis has won eight of its last nine games. Gasol has been hot since a slow start to the season, averaging over 20 points per game over the last eight, starting with the Knicks matchup.
- Memphis' floor general, Mike Conley, is having a down year by his standards (14.6 points, 6.1 assists per game), but remains dangerous in the pick-and-roll with Gasol and Zach Randolph. In seven games since returning from an achilles injury, he's dishing out 7.6 assists per contest.