Nets at Knicks
THE STORY: With a national television audience as witnesses, Jeremy Lin shrugged off an ugly nine-turnover effort in Friday’s loss to New Orleans with a spectacular performance Sunday, pumping in 28 points and handing out a career-high 14 assists to lift the New York Knicks over reigning NBA champion Dallas. New York will host the neighboring New Jersey Nets on Monday, a team it has beaten five straight times. The last came earlier this month, when Lin introduced himself to Gotham and triggered the current 8-1 streak. The stage could get a bit more crowded with the expected return of Carmelo Anthony.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (Nets), MSG (Knicks)
ABOUT THE NETS (9-24): After a stunning win at Chicago on Saturday, New Jersey came back to earth Sunday with a home loss to Milwaukee. The big news, however, was the season debut of center Brook Lopez – last season’s leading scorer – from a broken bone in his foot. Lopez scored nine points in 21½ minutes. Now the bad news – he will play in every other game until after the All-Star break, keeping him from seeing a Knicks team that he torched last season.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-16): Anthony has missed seven games with a groin injury, so all eyes will be on how he is able to mesh into a suddenly formidable lineup sparked by Lin at the point. J.R. Smith, just signed after returning from China, made a seamless debut by scoring 15 points in Sunday’s win despite having yet to practice with the team. Per his history, Smith was not shy and hoisted up 16 shots. Point guard Baron Davis also suited up but did not see action. Coach Mike D’Antoni may need to order more balls.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Nets point guard Deron Williams is on an offensive tear, averaging 27.4 points in his last five games.
2. New Jersey’s last win over the Knicks came at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2010. Of the 19 players who saw action in that game, only three remain with the teams – New Jersey’s Lopez and Kris Humphries and New York’s Frank Walker.
3. New York can move above .500 for the first time since it was 6-5 on Jan. 12.