Pelicans at Knicks
The New York Knicks look to snap a demoralizing eight-game losing streak when they host the improving New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Knicks continue to search for answers with a talented rotation that has struggled to gel after capping a four-game road trip with a 97-95 loss at Denver on Friday. New Orleans is beginning to make strides with four victories in its last six games, including a 121-105 thumping of Philadelphia on Friday – its second highest output of the season.
Former No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis leads the Pelicans in scoring and rebounding while four players average at least 14 points. Carmelo Anthony, the league’s second-leading scorer at 26.5 per game, has not gotten much consistent support on the offensive end. The Knicks lost all six games at home in November after winning their opener on Oct. 30 against Milwaukee after going 31-10 on its home court last season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-8): New Orleans has made strides, especially on offense where it is averaging 102.1 points – eight better than 2012-13. Davis is averaging 19.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks while continuing to shoot better than 50 percent from the floor and Ryan Anderson has made an impact in the last six games since returning from toe injury. Anderson is second in scoring at 19 per game while guards Eric Gordon (15.9) and Jrue Holiday (14.4) give the Pelicans two more dangerous options.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (3-12): There was some positive things the Knicks could take out of the last game, including their competiveness level to battle back in fourth quarter and Andrea Bargnani’s second straight 20-plus scoring night. “We looked better,” Knicks point guard Raymond Felton told the New York Post. “I feel we’re turning this thing around.” The Knicks are only three games out in the Atlantic Division but will need J.R. Smith to improve on his 32.8 percent shooting and 11.7 scoring average.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Knicks have won eight of the last nine against New Orleans, including wins by 22 and 13 last season.
2. New Orleans is among the league leaders in average offensive rebounds with 12.7 per game.
3. Pelicans coach Monty Williams was a first-round pick by the Knicks in 1994 and played two seasons in New York.