Knicks Chandler, Anthony Beat Pistons, Lakers Take on Nets
The New York Knicks (31-15) kicked off the new week with a 99-85 win over the Detroit Pistons (18-31). Tyson Chandler had 20-rebound game while teammate Carmelo Anthony racked up 27 points.
The Knicks now sit a ½ game behind the Miami Heat.
On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets (28-19) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (22-26).
In other Monday news, the Kevin Garnett rumors quieted down. Should the Boston Celtics decide to trade the veteran, it will come with conditions.
First, he has a no-trade clause in his contract and should Garnett decide to waive it, the player has said nothing would happen unless teammate Paul Pierce is dealt and then only unless he goes to Los Angeles where Garnett has a Malibu home, according to Shaun Powell.
And you know Los Angeles means the Clippers, not the Lakers.
With the Feb. 21 trade deadline looming this could be a dead story soon.
Knicks defeat Pistons, 99-85
Knicks Center Tyson Chandler
In Monday’s game, Chandler’s 20 rebounds tied him for a team record for a third straight game to have 20 rebounds. The player’s roll started on Friday, continued on Saturday and on Monday, he hit No. 3. The last Knicks player to achieve this was in December 1969 by Hall of Famer Willis Reed.
Will Chandler hit a fourth game?
His coach Mike Woodson wouldn’t be surprised and said after the game, “That’s what I expect. He can’t tease me. He’s done it three straight games, so I’m expecting it the fourth game.”
Chandler, the reigning league Defensive Player of the Year, has exceeded early props for his play with total rebounds per game at 9.5 o/u.
But he wasn’t the only star of the night. Anthony had 27 points.
This came after his nine points on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings when he ended his team single-season record of 31 straight games with 20 points or greater.
On Monday, Anthony already hit nine points in the first quarter and from the field went 10 for 17. He helped the team take a 57-31 halftime lead.
Contributing to the win was  Amare Stoudemire with his 20 points; J.R. Smith contributed 16 points.
For the Pistons, new player Spaniard Jose Calderon had 15 points in his first game while Greg Monroe added 13 points (as well as Will Bynum) with 10 rebounds; Rodney Stuckey contributed 14 points.
Nets vs. the Lakers
Lakers Center Dwight Howard
For Dwight Howard, playing against the Nets may conjure up thoughts up woulda, coulda, shoulda. The player had been expected to be traded to them but instead he went to the Lakers.
Whether nor not he’ll play on Tuesday remains to be seen with his right shoulder injury. Howard has missed the team’s last two games and on Sunday prior to its game against the Pistons, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said of his possible return, “As soon as the pain goes away he’ll play. Hopefully that’s next game, but there’s no guarantees.”
Howard’s absence is just one of the team’s many problems. It has also been struggling to keep game leads.
On Sunday, the Lakers led by 18 at one point but won by one. There were also 29-point leads, a 13-point one and 18-pointer that didn’t all end in wins.
Along with its defense, the team’s offense also needs to show up. For Kobe Bryant, who sits as No. 3 in the NBA with his 27.7 points per game, he has been off in the last four games, averaging 16.5 points per game.
For the Nets, they play well at home, winning their last nine of 10 games at home. Their bench players have stepped up and in their 93-89 Friday win over the Chicago Bulls, the group scored 35 points.
The team knows it’s a big game and they get the winning nod on Tuesday (-2.5, 196 o/u).
