Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Serge Ibaka
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Raymond Felton / Landry Fields / Wilson Chandler / Danilo Gallinari / Amar'e Stoudemire
Matchup
Amar'e Stoudemire has a stinger in his neck and is officially listed as probable for this game, it sounds like he will play. Toney Douglas is also probable. Nenad Krstic probably won't play, and that's probably a good thing against this team.
The Knicks shoot the ball. Then they shoot the ball some more. After that, they shoot again. They lead the league in 3PA, but they are only just above league average in 3P%. They are prolific at the line as well, fifth in FTA and second in FT% (we know who is first).
Amar'e is going to be a tough cover for our team. He's been effective this year in D'Antoni's system which has the Knicks back to the blistering pace he is known for. I am guessing (hoping) Ibaka will get some time guarding him, but we'll probably also see Jeff Green, and a whole lot of double teaming. Amar'e is still prone to forcing the issue when doubled or facing hedge defense, and although he's been passing more this year, if his teammates aren't making shots he'll probably try to score on his own. I'm guessing Brooks will see how the initial defender fares and if it's not looking good Amar'e will get doubled on the touch.
The rest of the Knicks will be shooting a lot of three pointers and mid range jumpers. They're pretty good at this, too. Raymond Felton has become very good at playing off the high screens that have been poison to the Thunder this season. We'll learn very quickly whether or not our defense is up to the task here, as the Knicks are good at finding perimeter openings and getting shots off.
The good news is that the Knicks haven't been guarding anyone. They have some versatile defensive players on the roster, and Chandler might be a pest on Kevin Durant, but they don't play good team defense and they have nothing in the middle to dissuade Russell Westbrook (and others) from getting to the rim. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of free throws on both sides of the court tonight.
Some Numbers
The Thunder have made more free throws this season than their opponents have attempted. That's an amazing thing, and I have not been able to find a team that accomplished this in NBA history. I'm guessing we get to the line a whole bunch against this Knicks defense, and with the pace this game is likely to be played at.
This will be one of only two Thunder games I will get to attend this season so I'm hoping for a show like last year's game at MSG.
