NBA Basketball Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Both of these teams took a big step forward last year, but they are struggling to stay at that high level.
8:00 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from BetOnline
NBA Betting Favorite: Grizzlies -4.5
Over/Under: 194
The Knicks improved their chances quite a bit when they went out and got Stoudemire and Anthony last year. The Grizzlies were the biggest surprise story in the Western Conference last year.
Memphis is just 3-6 so far this year, while the Knicks are 5-4 and playing inconsistently. These teams will meet in prime time on TNT Thursday night.
New York’s offense has been surprisingly inefficient so far this season. Carmelo Anthony and Ama’re Stoudemire are both putting up big numbers this year, but they are shooting poor percentages from the field. Stoudemire is shooting less than 42%, while Anthony is hitting 44% from the floor.
Iman Shumpert has emerged as a third scorer for the Knicks in the last three games. Shumpert has been getting playing time while Mike Bibby is hurt, and he has been making the most of his time. Landry Fields had a great rookie campaign last season, but he has been slumping a bit offensively so far this year. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defensively, the Knicks are still below average in the half court. New York has struggled on the glass this year as well.
The Grizzlies took a huge hit when Zach Randolph went down with a major knee injury. Randolph will be out until at least late Feburary. Randolph was the team’s best one-on-one player. Mike Conley had a breakout season at the point guard spot last year, but he has been dinged up with an ankle injury this year.
Conley is just now getting healthy, and this team needs a spark out of him. Rudy Gay is back after missing the Grizzlies playoff run last year, but he doesn’t look like himself. Gay seems to still be bothered by the shoulder that he injured last season.
Memphis simply isn’t a very healthy team right now, and it is showing in their performance on the floor.
The Knicks haven’t been great this year, but I think they can cover the number against the ailing Grizzlies.
Prediction: New York 98 Memphis 97
