NFT: KNICKS VS LAKERS 10PM

Thursday night's game at MSG for the two of us, wanting to go to one of the 2,000-fan games just for the experience. (We were Knick season ticket holders during his childhood, so he has fond memories.) Now it's turning out to be the hottest ticket in town, he says!

they can lose to the Lakers and STILL get the 4 seed. They would need to win out at home, but they control their destiny and don't have to be perfect. Hope IQ and Burks can play Thursday against the Spurs. They will be needed. Fresh legs will help a lot coming off the road trip.

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In comment 15260619 Del Shofner said:

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Thursday night's game at MSG for the two of us, wanting to go to one of the 2,000-fan games just for the experience. (We were Knick season ticket holders during his childhood, so he has fond memories.) Now it's turning out to be the hottest ticket in town, he says!

That's awesome the garden will be rocking!!

In comment 15260637 Del Shofner said:

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Pelle was a coach's decision last game
Neither is on the injury report

don't the Knicks lose the tiebreak?

In comment 15260661 five5 said:

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don't the Knicks lose the tiebreak?

I would think so. They've lost all their games vs. Miami.

Hear me out...

if we end up in a 3-way tie with Atlanta and Miami, we actually end up seeded behind BOTH of them-- we lose the 3-way tiebreaker there. Whereas if we're just tied with Atlanta we hold the tiebreaker over them.

As we know, we almost certainly lock up the 4 seed if we finish 3-1. But what if we finish 2-2? Well-- a loss by the Heat tonight essentially means our "magic number" to get either the 4 or 5 seed likely becomes 40 wins, instead of 41. i.e. a Heat loss tonight + Knicks finishing 2-2 would almost certainly get us either the 4 or 5.

I'm not counting on the Heat losing to both the Sixers and the Bucks btw. In fact -- The Sixers essentially have the 1 seed locked up, and if they beat the Pacers tonight they actually do clinch the 1 seed officially, so they may start resting guys against the Heat.

I'm not worried about the Celtics. We're 3 games up on them w/ 4 to play and they just lost Brown for the season. If we have to beat them at MSG in the season finale, so be it. I'd rather that than watch the Heat win and then watch the Knicks fall to the 6 seed (technically) if they lose tonight.

I don't care as much about clinching "staying out of the play-in." It's extremely unlikely we have to play the play-in. And if we do have to play the play-in, so be it. At this point we would need a COLOSSAL meltdown to fall all the way to the play in, lose both play in games, and miss the playoffs ... we're literally talking like less than 1% chance all of that happens (knocks wood).

So at this point I'm just thinking seeding. We almost certainly lock up the 4 seed if we finish 3-1. In my mind I'm thinking: what if we finish 2-2, how can we be sure to at least not fall below the 5 seed? Because I sure as hell don't want to play one of the top 3 teams in the East in round 1. So that's why I think we're better off w/ the Heat losing tonight.

Luckily... who any of us roots for tonight has zero bearing on the actual outcome lol

In comment 15260661 five5 said:

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don't the Knicks lose the tiebreak?

Yes indeed Knicks lose tiebreak to the Heat.

Knicks win tiebreak over the Hawks.

However-- Knicks place *3rd* in a 3-way tiebreak between Knicks, Heat, and Hawks (ugh).

Knicks tiebreak vs. the Celtics all comes down to who wins the reg season finale at the garden.

(I haven't looked at any 3-way or 4-way tiebreaks involving the Celtics though)

is if we plan on finishing 1-3 or 0-4. Otherwise they are literally not a threat whatsoever. 2-2 the rest of the way clinches our position ahead of them no matter what. So I'd rather not worry about a Brown-less Celtics, I'd rather try to keep pace ahead of the Heat, a team that is 1-game behind us and has clinched the tiebreaker over us, and could even totally spoil our tiebreaker w/ the Hawks in a 3-way tiebreak.

In comment 15260733 Leg of Theismann said:

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is if we plan on finishing 1-3 or 0-4. Otherwise they are literally not a threat whatsoever. 2-2 the rest of the way clinches our position ahead of them no matter what. So I'd rather not worry about a Brown-less Celtics, I'd rather try to keep pace ahead of the Heat, a team that is 1-game behind us and has clinched the tiebreaker over us, and could even totally spoil our tiebreaker w/ the Hawks in a 3-way tiebreak.

Before the Knicks beat the Clippers i was hoping for 2 celtics losses and that would basically clinch top 6..

Right now id rather Celtics win tonight, keep the Heat behind thr Knicks and at worst Knicks are still in 4th tied sith Hawks, 1 game up on Miami and 2 up on Boston..

I could see them losing both games vs. 76ers and Bucks.
Let's hope we win 4 straight and take care of business.
So let's go Heat. Ugh
I want this game tonight for the Knicks and to be one of the teams to help send the Lakers go into the play-in game.

LETS F#$King GO KNICKS !!!

Hopefully Rose has a word in the lockerroom. Lets fuck these bitches up. I hate them all from here on out. I hate the Lakers. I hate the Spurs because theyve always been a better team. I hate the Celtics and their SG who looks like baby shit with hair on it. Just win all these fucking games and go into the postseason with style.

In comment 15260754 larryflower37 said:

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Let's hope we win 4 straight and take care I want this game tonight for the Knicks and to be one of the teams to help send the Lakers go into the play-in game. LETS F#$King GO KNICKS !!!

Like I said in the other thread god it would be delicious to send those fuckers into the play-in, especially with all the NY'ers you know will be in there tonight roaring as usual. Phil from LA RIP he'd have loved it! I'm not one of those "we gotta beat them at full strength" guys and of course we need the game and I'd rather see no Lebron or AD but part of me wants to beat them so bad with those 2 to take away any excuses. Frankly for Lebron Despite his greatness I don't think the Knicks and their off the charts compete level on D are the ideal opponent to come back against. Just ask Kwai, Pandemic P and the rest off the Clippers. As I said Haha Lebron saying the guy who came up with the idea for the play-in tournament should be fired. If we're sitting here next Tuesday with the Lakers playing Steph and Russ at the Celtics on ESPN or TNT doubleheader the guy who came up with the play-in idea will not only get a raise and a 10 year contract he might have Silver's job by October! 🤣😂

if Lebron is back, desperate lakers team basically fully healthy, it will be tough..

Knicks win this game and my expectstions for the playoffs go up a little bit

Heck even without Lebron it would be. They smoked the Suns the other night without him. AD and Drummond really scare me because we just don't match up well with them. Taj really has his work cut out for him. They will throw Noel around like a toothpick.

In comment 15260782 Stu11 said:

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In comment 15260754 larryflower37 said: Quote: Let's hope we win 4 straight and take care I want this game tonight for the Knicks and to be one of the teams to help send the Lakers go into the play-in game. LETS F#$King GO KNICKS !!! Like I said in the other thread god it would be delicious to send those fuckers into the play-in, especially with all the NY'ers you know will be in there tonight roaring as usual. Phil from LA RIP he'd have loved it! I'm not one of those "we gotta beat them at full strength" guys and of course we need the game and I'd rather see no Lebron or AD but part of me wants to beat them so bad with those 2 to take away any excuses. Frankly for Lebron Despite his greatness I don't think the Knicks and their off the charts compete level on D are the ideal opponent to come back against. Just ask Kwai, Pandemic P and the rest off the Clippers. As I said Haha Lebron saying the guy who came up with the idea for the play-in tournament should be fired. If we're sitting here next Tuesday with the Lakers playing Steph and Russ at the Celtics on ESPN or TNT doubleheader the guy who came up with the play-in idea will not only get a raise and a 10 year contract he might have Silver's job by October! 🤣😂

LeBron. He might be the only superstar athlete I would hurl insults at in public. Hes a clown in how he manipulates the league, talks openly about controversial subjects and then makes millions off of a company that does business with a country that throttles human rights for profit. Fuck him forever.

In comment 15260791 Stu11 said:

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Heck even without Lebron it would be. They smoked the Suns the other night without him. AD and Drummond really scare me because we just don't match up well with them. Taj really has his work cut out for him. They will throw Noel around like a toothpick.

Obi needs to take mins there. Hes been better especially on defense, maybe he can get a few extra fouls on him. I would also really like to see Randle not settle for the 12-15 footers. Work down low and make those bigs play you.

In comment 15260793 chopperhatch said:

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In comment 15260791 Stu11 said: Quote: Heck even without Lebron it would be. They smoked the Suns the other night without him. AD and Drummond really scare me because we just don't match up well with them. Taj really has his work cut out for him. They will throw Noel around like a toothpick. Obi needs to take mins there. Hes been better especially on defense, maybe he can get a few extra fouls on him. I would also really like to see Randle not settle for the 12-15 footers. Work down low and make those bigs play you.

Yep good point on Obi. He really seems to have found his role lately. Shooting with much more confidence. If he sticks with us Thibs will turn that guy into a good defender with his length and athleticism

Lebron still listed as out, Burks Questionable and Quick doubtful..

Why wouldnt Lakers just list him as questionable?

according to woj

Let’s take this.

In comment 15260934 nygiants16 said:

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according to woj

Just reported targeting wednesday now.
Not sure if its good or bad.

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fully practiced, said he felt great for thr past few days and woj reported he was exorcted to play and noe all of a sudden he needs another day?

Something tells me someone told him hey Knicks play a physical tough defensive game, why dont you rest and play against the terrible rockets

and it's a national televised game.
The Knicks are playing playoff basketball and don't take plays off it would be a rough game to be your first in 2 weeks.
The Rockets he can play 20 half speed minutes and no one will care.

So, they can't risk a setback at this point.

and I have the TV on in my office all day. Damn every sports show is on the Knicks bandwagon.

I think Lebron got back to practice, Woj went to report on it, Lebron said he felt good, felt confident he'd be back soon... Woj asked "is there any chance you'll play on Tuesday?" and I could see Lebron (knowing the Lakers are desperate to stay out of the play in) was overly optimistic and said "yeah it's possible I'm feeling pretty good" ... so Woj went on national television and broke that as a huge story. Then the trainers/coaching staff, remembering that Lebron immediately re-injured himself when he came back a couple weeks ago, were like "uh yeah no you're gonna get another practice or 2 in we're working you back slowly."

I think this was typical overly optimistic talk from a guy who really wants to get back ASAP to help his teammates and Woj took it and ran with it, and really all he said was "Lebron could very well play Tuesday" but I remember he said it on Sportscenter in his typical Woj breaking-news way so it made everyone think it really meant more than it really did.

Lebron will be back soon but they're not rushing him back, I think Lebron wanted to be back for this game and that's what Woj picked up on and reported, but they're not going to rush it.

In comment 15261007 Ira said:

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So, they can't risk a setback at this point.

Exactly-- this is how I've felt all along. After the set back he had before, they're going to delay this as long as possible. No point in forcing him back 4 games early just to win a few final regular season games in HOPES of MAYBE catching the Blazers. The Lakers only need to win 1 of 2 in the play in, I would wait to bring Lebron back until the last (or 2nd to last) game of the season just so he can get back up to speed and be ready to win the ACTUAL must-win game(s) know as the play-in and then the playoffs.

If they plan on making another run and with the gauntlet they have to go through ahead of them, the playoff will be a long arduous haul for Lebron and the Lakers. No need to fast-forward that by 4 meaningless games.

Even if LAL are in play in tournament, they will get to the line 100 times.

planning an early evening nap so I can stay up for it...we'll see how that works out, of course, as I ain't 21 anymore

Let's Go Knicks!

In comment 15261086 mfsd said:

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planning an early evening nap so I can stay up for it...we'll see how that works out, of course, as I ain't 21 anymore Let's Go Knicks!

I don't even bother. I will DVR & watch fresh tomorrow morning at 530. Get back East ASAP gents!

In comment 15260962 nygiants16 said:

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fully practiced, said he felt great for thr past few days and woj reported he was exorcted to play and noe all of a sudden he needs another day? Something tells me someone told him hey Knicks play a physical tough defensive game, why dont you rest and play against the terrible rockets

Well honestly that probably is what the thought process was--

and at first reading that I was laughing at Lebron being a pussy, but then once you said "the rockets" I realized the reasoning actually sounded less weak on Lebron's part and more like supremely shrewd & rational strategy lol ...

because I forgot they had a back to back, and if you're gonna choose one game to play between the 2 (after all he's not about to play back to back nights his first days back off RE-injuring his ankle), the Rockets absolutely make 1000% more sense as the game to pick--

The game tonight is going to be playoff-level intensity basketball and the Knicks are indeed a physical high-effort team. You can't take Lebron from 0-60 off (re)-injury into a battle like that-- not ideal for getting him "situated" . Wednesday is ideal because

1) The Rockets are the perfect team to play your first game back against, it'll essentially feel like a scrimmage.
2) the Lakers need just 1 more win to clinch finishing no lower than 8th, so if you're main concern is just getting 1 win, between the back to back games just save Lebron for the one that will end up being a sure thing (Houston), rather than accelerate him to full speed against an intense opponent in the Knicks just 24 hours prior.

But yeah -- I mean just imagine if Lebron played tonight and aggravated his ankle and was out for 2 weeks. I think they realized chasing the Blazers 1.5 games ahead in HOPES they don't have to play a double-elimination tournament -- a win in which will be gift-wrapped for them by the refs anyway -- was not exactly a good reason to rush Lebron back even 1 game too soon. This move also kinds says to me they've accepted they're play-in fate and and are betting on themselves to win 1 of the 2, which they will undoubtedly.

I got Nuggets Hornets on here in the mancave. Porter Jr. is legit. If Murray was healthy, I think they could win the West.

I get LBJ sitting out tonight. The odds are heavy that the Lakers are going to be the 7th seed & won't catch Portland. It's better to rest him for the play in game vs. probably Steph & the Warriors.

I do think that Lebron James is quietly absolutely terrified of a play-in game. I mean I know he already said out loud he hates it (now), but I get this sense that deep down he really is afraid as all hell of that thing. Could be just his 4th game back and Lebron is the type of guy I could see just hating single game elimination (he did skip the NCAA afterall ;) . He's the type of guy who likes to have 7 games over which he can impose his will on a team, as opposed to immediate "season-on-the-line" pressure-- some guys relish that type of pressure but I don't think Lebron is one of those guys (not saying he's not "clutch" though-- he's had many clutch moments but he also at times has seemed to let "the moment" get him).

LBJ needn't worry. The NBA will do whatever they can to get the Lakers into the playoffs. If it's even close, expect the officials to ref a Lakers play in game like it's the 4th quarter of Game 6 of the 2002 WCF Finals. If you breathe on LBJ, flagrant.

In comment 15261221 SFGFNCGiantsFan said:

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I get LBJ sitting out tonight. The odds are heavy that the Lakers are going to be the 7th seed & won't catch Portland. It's better to rest him for the play in game vs. probably Steph & the Warriors.

Exactly I bet they had that exact conversation w/ him last night /this morning.

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In comment 15261281 nygiants16 said:

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Awesome. More Elfrid! Haha.

Jazz, Suns, and Nuggets all on the road.
Lakers are Knicks, Rockets, @Indiana, and @NO

Portland could lose the last 3.

Lakers have a shot if they win out which was a good possibility with LeBron .

In comment 15261294 larryflower37 said:

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Jazz, Suns, and Nuggets all on the road. Lakers are Knicks, Rockets, @Indiana, and @NO Portland could lose the last 3. Lakers have a shot if they win out which was a good possibility with LeBron .

Blazers are 1.5 up on them & have tiebreaker. Lakers pretty much need to run the table.

like pretty sure I want the Celtics to win this game. I really don't want to drop to the 6th seed and have to face the Bucks.

To beat the Lakers so brutally that it counts as 3 losses.

going with the Lloyd Christmas hairstyle. Bold.

Miami needs to lose to 76ers and bucks now.
Glass half full we have clinched a Playoff spot and don't have to play on the play-in games.

Is a sport coat and turtleneck a thing again? Wtf?

tonight. He's awesome!

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