The New York Knicks are coming off what Carmelo Anthony referred to as an embarrassing loss after the team fell to the Indiana Pacers by 30 points. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are rolling along as one of the top teams in the Western Conference after completing a perfect stint at home and hope to do the same on the road.
Injuries looked ready to plague the Clippers. However, after Chris Paul separated his shoulder at the start of January, the Clippers have won their last four of five games. A win against the Knicks would give the team a five-game win streak, a season high.The Dallas Mavericks thought they had the team beat on Wednesday, but JJ Redick and Blake Griffin led the charge for a 17-point comeback in the fourth quarter to get the win. Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford added to the point total by leading the bench.
Replacing Paul, Darren Collison is averaging 16.6 points with a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ration. The past five games have let Collison prove he can certainly fill in as a reliable starter. The Clippers hope he continues the success as the team begins a lengthy road trip.
The last meeting between the Clippers and Knicks was back in November and Los Angeles won it convincingly 93-80. Anthony was forced to put up 23 shots in the game to get 27 points, leading the team. Tyson Chandler had 13 points in the loss.
The Knicks could struggle once again against the Clippers. Both Kenyan Martin and Amar'e Stoudemire are expected to be out after suffering ankle injuries against the Indiana Pacers. In their absence, Raymond Felton will be expected to step up as head coach Mike Woodson challenges the team to step up in wake of the tough loss to Indiana.