The New York Knicks are depleted with injuries and lacking the efforts to make up for the decreased roster. After getting blown out on Christmas Day by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team is desperate for a win. Facing their Atlantic Division rivals the Toronto Raptors at home could certainly help.
The first hurdle for the Knicks will be getting Carmelo Anthony back healthy. The star is currently day-to-day after suffering an ankle sprain last week. The forward is currently uncertain for the matchup despite playing on Wednesday. Raymond Felton is also uncertain after injuring his groin.
The Knicks have failed to get anything going this year after winning the Atlantic Division last season averaging 100.0 points per game. 2013 is a lot different as New York is putting up just 94.9 points per game sitting at 9-19 and three games behind Toronto in the same division.
The Knicks are hoping to break a three-game home losing streak when facing off against the Raptors. The team is currently sitting at 4-11 when playing at MAdison Square Garden and are hearing it from the fans. Tyson Chandler is stressing that everyone must step up and seize the moment as Anthony and his 26.3 points per game might not be on the court.
The Raptors enter with former Knicks star Steve Novak who was included in a trade that sent Andrea Bargnani to New York. The Raptors also have Kyle Lowry, a player the Knicks have been targeting in trade rumors of all kinds. Lowry is averaging 21.7 points per game during a three-game win streak for the team. The Raptors have dropped eight of the last 12 against New York.