The Nets and Knicks don’t appear to be taking further incentive of their cross-river rivalry. Their dire standings conditions will probably be motivation sufficient Sunday.
It’s straightforward to see how one group — or each — may very well be flat for the nationally televised sport at Barclays Heart (1 p.m., ABC). The Knicks will probably be on the final leg of a grueling seven-game highway journey. The Nets will probably be coming off an emotional win in Philadelphia, having confronted ex-teammate James Harden and the followers’ hate of new Web Ben Simmons.
However the two groups’ determined positions within the play-in race (the Nets entered Saturday eighth within the East, the Knicks twelfth with 15 video games left, together with Sunday) imply neither can afford a hangover.
“The urgency is there’s 15 video games,” Nets guard Patty Mills stated. “We’ve simply performed three video games with virtually all of our items. There’s sufficient causes for us to have the urgency to have the ability to string these video games collectively.
“Like I stated, the Holy Grail is a championship, and time isn’t on our aspect however we now have monumental alternative right here with these 15 video games coming as much as carry on getting higher. These three video games have been nice, now we get to return house — the place we haven’t been nice at house all 12 months — to have the ability to construct on that. So does it assist [to play a rival]? Possibly. However I don’t suppose it’s an element.”
The Nets have been 2 ½ video games behind Toronto pending the Raptors’ sport Saturday night time at Denver, and 1 ½ away from each No. 9 Charlotte and No. 10 Atlanta.
The Knicks’ six-game trek throughout all 4 time zones is over however, technically, not their highway video games.
When the Knicks (28-39) go to the Nets, they’ll be taking part in their seventh straight sport away from the Backyard, but it surely’s a “highway sport’’ in identify solely.
Per ordinary, there will probably be loads of Knicks followers stuffed inside Barclays Heart. James Dolan’s franchise nonetheless dominates the market.
However that gained’t be a assure of dominating the sport. The Knicks flew again from Memphis, touchdown within the wee hours of Saturday morning, and can lose an hour for the clock change earlier than the matinee in Brooklyn.
The Nets are coming off an evisceration of the 76ers behind Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, however gained’t have Irving as a result of he gained’t get vaccinated. Simmons additionally gained’t play as a result of the newcomer isn’t able to compete but.
The Knicks are a decent 3-3 on the journey, however there’s no margin for error with 15 video games left. The three-game successful streak might’ve been a season-high 4 had they merely protected a 15-point third-quarter lead at Memphis on Friday, as a substitute of being run out of the constructing by Ja Morant’s blue band. As an alternative, the Knicks fell 4 ½ video games out of the play-in behind the Hornets and Hawks.
“We’re taking part in the highest of the league,’’ Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau stated of their highway journey. “We’re doing quite a lot of good issues, and we’re studying loads. Now we have to maintain bettering. And so the following problem in Brooklyn.
“And so they’re coming off an enormous win. And so they’re sitting on a pair days relaxation. … Now we have to be prepared each night time on this league. That’s why toughness is so necessary.’’
Requested if he noticed the Nets’ slaughter of the Sixers on Thursday, Thibodeau stated: “I watched somewhat little bit of it. Any group that has that prime degree of expertise you know the way good they’re. You watch that sport and also you take a look at the three guys that Philly has and the fellows that Brooklyn has, that’s high-end. That’s robust.’’
RJ Barrett lamented the Knicks’ lack of ability to shut out video games during which they’ve had huge leads. That price them at Memphis and of their final assembly with the Nets.
“We had an excellent highway journey,’’ Barrett stated. “I really feel like we’ve been taking part in very effectively, additionally going in opposition to the highest groups. We’ve given them a run for his or her cash, simply with us studying to proceed to determine tips on how to shut out video games. That’s all we’re gonna attempt to do.’’
They’ll hope to do it higher than their Feb. 16 sport in opposition to the Nets, once they blew a 28-point lead within the Backyard. Rookie Cam Thomas had 16 of his 21 factors within the fourth quarter to steer a Nets win, and is eyeing one other shot at their rivals.
“I’m trying ahead to it,” Thomas advised The Publish.
