Knicks Entertain Wizards Tuesday Night
Carmelo Anthony will look to navigate the Knicks to a 3-1 record Tuesday night.
Potential Eastern Conference contenders collide Tuesday night as the New York Knicks host the Washington Wizards in the first of four clashes between the sides this season.
Tip-off at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Each expected to make the postseason come April, both teams has a solid first week of the 2014-15 NBA season. Both will be looking to make a statement when they take to the historic hardwood on Tuesday.
The Story So Far
After suffering an opening night loss in Manhattan to the highly touted Chicago Bulls, New York (2-1, 1-1 home) made headlines by spoiling LeBron James’ homecoming last Thursday night.
A combination of solid defense and team effort earn the Knicks a 95-90 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a victory that saw James finish 5-for-15 shooting with eight turnovers.
Defense was once again prevalent on Sunday as the Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 96-93 at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony reached the 20,000-point plateau during the game, while Amar’e Stoudamire added a double-double off the bench.
The Knicks will now look to keep the momentum rolling as a tough opening schedule sees the side meet a fourth straight opponent expected to make the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Like New York, Washington (2-14, 1-1 road) began the season with a loss, falling to the Miami Heat on the road. The Wizards bounced back with a win over the Orlando Magic before heading home for a home-opener on Saturday.
The Wizards eased past the Milwaukee Bucks at Verizon Center, thanks in part to a solid performance from Otto Porter, Jr., who spelled Paul Pierce – ejected from the game during the second quarter – for the entire second half.
The Wizards will now look to earn a marquee victory on the road.
Impact Players
Carmelo Anthony has been the focal point from the Knicks, averaging 22.3 points per game while enjoying plenty of rest time under new head coach Derek Fisher.
Amar’e Stoudemire has averaged 12.3 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action, a good sign for the Knickerbockers.
Elsewhere, Shane Larkin has been solid has he spells the injured Jose Calderon, while Quincy Acy has been solid at power forward.
For Washington, John Wall has very much led the charge, averaging 21.7 points per game to sit in the NBA’s top 20. The fifth-year guard is averaging 11 assists per game, second only to Rajon Rondo in the league, and is in the top five in steals, having picked off three balls a game.
Marcin Gortat has been efficient in the middle, averaging 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. After missing the opener through suspension, Nene has averaged 17 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Meanwhile, head coach Randy Wittman has mixed and matched his lineups to get the best matchups possible, a plan that has so far worked out well.
Head-to-Head
New York leads the all-time head-to-head series 167-116.
Washington has won four of its last six games against New York. Prior to this stretch, the Knicks had won 10 straight.
The Wizards completed a three-game regular season sweep of the Knicks a season ago, earning a pair of victories at Madison Square Garden in the process.
Injury Report
New York is without forward Andrea Bargnani (hamstring) and guard Jose Calderon (calf), both out indefeinitely.
Washington will be missing guard Bradley Beal (wrist) and forward Martell Webster (back) who are both out indefinitely.
Check out the full injury report
Can John Wall, excellent so far this season, lead the Wizards to a fourth straight win over the Knicks?
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks odds for 11/04/2014
Moneyline: New York opened as a marginal favorite over Washington on the moneyline.
The Knicks have not lost four straight to the Wizards since dropping five between December 2001 and January 2003.
Washington has not begun a season 3-1 since the 2005-06 campaign.
Spread: The spread opened at 1.5 where it remains.
Washington (2-1-0 ATS) has been successful against the spread during the first week of the season, covering in every game. New York (1-2-0 ATS) hasn’t fared as well.
After a prolonged period of ineptitude against the spread, the Wizards are 4-2-0 ATS in their last six meetings with the Knicks, and have covered the spread in three straight.
The Knicks are 10-2-0 ATS in their last 12 games hosting the Wizards, although they failed to cover the spread twice against Washington at Madison Square Garden a season ago.
Total: The total opened at 194.5 but has subsequently fallen as low as 190.5.
Washington (3-0-0 O/U) has seen the over pay out in all three of its games this season, while New York (1-1-1 O/U) has shown no early trends.
The total has gone over in nine of Washington’s last 13 visits to Madison Square Garden.
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