The New York Knicks would ideally like to end 2014 with a win, but facing the Los Angeles Clippers on the road is not the way to get things done. The team currently sits as one of the worst teams in the NBA as they have dropped their last 18 of 19 games. Meanwhile, the Clippers rode a nine-game win streak, but then dropped to 5-6 while aiming to improve to 3-1 during a nice homestand. Playing the Knicks is the way to make that happen.
The New York Knicks have more injuries than they had hoped as several stars prepare to sit out the game against Los Angeles. Carmelo Anthony has been out due to a knee injury and the Knicks could be prepping to shut him down for some time as the injury continues to creep up. With the Knicks continuing to lose, there is no need to put Anthony on the court. His injury gets paired with JR Smith's foot injury, Amar'e Stoudemire's knee injury, Andrea Bargnani's calf injury and Samuel Dalembert's sprain ankle. The starting lineup for New York is anyone's guess.
Anthony plans on playing against the Clippers after being taken out in the second half against Portland. He is currently averaging 31.7 points and 12.7 rebounds against the Clippers in their last three meetings. However, if he does not have the role players around him, those numbers will be meaningless. The Knicks will likely put players like Cole Aldrich on the court who has a total of 30 points and 26 rebounds in his last two games. He gets the task of going up against DeAndre Jordan.
The Clippers are fresh off a win over Utah where Blake Griffin had 24 points and seven assists. Chris Paul added 20 points. Defense has been an issue. The team had been allowing 104.5 points on 48.9 percent shooting to their opponents over the past 10 games, but they limited Utah to 41.3 percent shooting and should have no issues doing so against the Knicks.