The New York Knicks have had a very tough start to the season and some might say it is the exact opposite of the way the Portland Trail Blazers have entered the year, as they are 10 games over the losing mark while NY is six games under and now the two teams will meet as Carmelo Anthony and company starts a road trip at the Moda Center at 10:00 pm and the game is streaming live online from the NBA League Pass.
The Knicks have not played well at all this season and the team ranks in the bottom part of the NBA in scoring per game, rebounds and assists per game, while the defense ranks 15th in the league with just under 100 points allowed. The two teams came into the season on opposite sides of the spectrum, as many felt that the Blazers would struggle to contend in the bottom part of the western conference, while the Knicks were expected to be one of the top teams in the east. Things have not gone as expected on either side, as the Knicks are just 3-9 this season and the Blazers come in at 12-2 and looking very tough and now New York will try and start off their road trip with a victory and they need to start playing better, or it could cost Mike Woodson his job and the schedule doesn't get any easier after this game, as the Clippers are waiting on Wednesday night at the Staples Center.
Check here for the Knicks and Blazers live coverage.
The Blazers come into the game playing very hot and winning 10 games in a row and that is at the worst time for the Knicks, as they have lost six of seven and five in a row and now Portland also comes in losing only two of the last 12 games against NY. The Knicks need to start playing better on both sides of the ball and dealing with players like Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge and playing aggressively on offense could help spark things on Monday night. Carmelo Anthony has been scoring in bunches, but it hasn't been enough for the Knicks and the perimeter defense has been an issue as well, with John Wall scoring 31 points.
The Blazers have been scoring in bunches and the team is ranked 10th in defense this season and they are also in the top 10 in rebounding and assists per game and they are coming into the game after winning over the Golden State Warriors and after playing the Knicks, the team will travel to play the Phoenix Suns. The game on Monday night starts up at 10:00 pm at the Moda Center between the Knicks and Blazers and now the Knicks really need to turn things around.