Knicks at Pelicans
Two teams playing out the string after failing to meet preseason expectations meet when the New Orleans Pelicans host the New York Knicks on Monday. The Pelicans have been decimated by injuries from training camp throughout the season while the Knicks’ roster flaws have been repeatedly exposed en route to another losing campaign.
New Orleans has dropped three in a row while playing with a roster that continues to drop bodies. Expected preseason contributors Eric Gordon (finger), Anthony Davis (shoulder, knee), Quincy Pondexter (knee) and Tyreke Evans (knee) have already been ruled out for the rest of the season while Ryan Anderson (groin) missed the last four games and was joined by Jrue Holiday (toe) on the bench in the last two alongside Norris Cole (back). New York took a turn at spoiler with back-to-back wins over the Chicago Bulls last week but could not make it three in a row with a 107-93 loss to the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. The Knicks are still leaning heavily on Carmelo Anthony and rookie Kristaps Porzingis despite their record, and the two continue to deliver.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE KNICKS (30-44): New York players, coaches and front office personnel talk a lot about the future, and a host of free agents and solid draft picks to compliment foundation pieces Anthony and Porzingis remains the bottom line. Anthony, who told reporters on Saturday that he won’t be talking about his no-trade clause anymore, certainly looks like a player trying to win in New York and scored 28 points in 39 minutes on Saturday. Porzingis stayed on the court 41 minutes in the setback and is averaging 36.2 minutes over the last five contests as he breaks through the rookie wall.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (26-46): New Orleans is trying to find enough bodies to take the floor every night and gave shooting guard Jordan Hamilton his season debut on Saturday. The 25-year-old signed with the Pelicans on Friday and scored 11 points in 24 minutes off the bench in a 115-91 loss to the Toronto Raptors. “One thing I like is he don’t want guys passing up shots,” Hamilton told reporters of coach Alvin Gentry. “That’s a confidence boost for anybody, when the coach tells you to shoot the ball. Just hearing that makes me happy.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Knicks reserve F Derrick Williams scored in double figures in each of the last four games.
2. Pelicans F Alonzo Gee is averaging 17.5 points on 15-of-25 shooting while receiving expanded minutes in the last two games.
3. Anthony led the way with 29 points and 13 rebounds when New York claimed a 95-87 home victory over New Orleans on Nov. 15.