5 things to watch on the NBA’s MLK Day slate
By Morgan Dunn
3. The New York rivalry
The energy in the building is always palpable when the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets meet in what’s actually become quite the local rivalry. Despite neither of these teams being a worldbeater, the Knicks and Nets always come to play when they match up against one another. This MLK Day game will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which is the less-exciting of the two venue options (the famed MSG being the other) but should still provide an excellent backdrop for this contest.
Neither of these clubs looks like a playoff team, but New York remains in the mix at this juncture of the season. Knicks fans have been treated to unfamiliar territory this year: a reason to hope. Third-year big man Kristaps Porzingis looks like a star, potentially the best Knicks player since the great Patrick Ewing. Years of torture due to mismanagement look as though they may be coming to a close, and Porzginis is the biggest reason for that. The Latvian wonder has slowed a bit since a torrid start, but he remains a candidate for the Most Improved Player Award.
The Nets will look to stifle Porzingis’ offensive efforts in this matchup, something that is easier said than done thanks to the youngster’s combination of size and skill. Emerging forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson may be Brooklyn’s best bet to contain Porzingis, as this defensive maven could use his strength and physicality to make the Knicks star uncomfortable at the very least.
Injuries have plagued the Nets throughout much of the 2017-18 campaign, which will make taking down their crosstown rival all the more challenging. Head coach Kenny Atkinson has this team playing hard on a nightly basis, though, which should mean a close game between these New York foes.