NBA East; What is Going On New York?
Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks have struggled early.
The NBA season is still very young and the Atlantic Division standings are very tight, so things could have a very different look by the end of the season, or even the end of the month, but right now we have to ask what the heck is going on in New York?
Before the season began, this division figured to be a fight between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets for the top spot. So far these two have been battling to escape the cellar as the Knicks are 3-4 and the Nets are 2-5. New York has had several clunkers, especially at home so far this season. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-100 but that game was rarely as close as the final score. They lost at home to the Charlotte Bobcats 102-97 although they did avenge that one later in the week at Charlotte by 10 points. But they lost to the San Antonio Spurs at home 120-89. Ouch!
Things are so bad that stories are already running rampant about the Knicks going after Kevin Love in next off-season’s free agent signing period. Some are reporting that they are doing this to keep Carmelo Anthony happy and therefore in New York.
The Nets were supposed to be better this year when they acquired Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in a trade with the Boston Celtics. That has not been paying off so far. The Nets have lost to the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings by the identical score of 106-87. They also have losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards so far. If not for a 101-100 win over the World Champions, the Miami Heat, they would be really struggling to get back in the race.
But as it stands now, the Philadelphia 76ers lead the division with a 5-4 record. The Knicks, Raptors and Boston Celtics are all one game back, the Knicks at 3-4 and the Raptors and Celtics at 4-5. The Nets trail by only 2 at 2-5.
So while both New York teams are struggling, it is not really time yet to panic. But both need to pick up the pace a bit. The Celtics started 0-3 and are now 4-5, so they are starting to figure things out.
Tonight, the Knicks will host the 4-5 Houston Rockets in a game both need to play well. The Rockets come in at 5-4.
Bookmaker has the Rockets -1.5 -110 and the Knicks +1.5 -110 ATS. Moneyline is Rockets -125 and New York +105. Over/Under is 206 with both over and under -110. We like the Rockets -1.5 and the under -110. The Knicks have looked especially bad at home so far this season. Maybe it’s the orange uniforms? We hope not because they actually look pretty good.
