After losing a heartbreak affair in Philadelphia on Friday, the Knicks will have a chance at instant payback this afternoon at Madison Square Garden. New York blew a nine-point lead and an attempted come back in Friday's wild fourth quarter, falling to the Sixers after failing to convert on a potential game-winning possession. With Doug Collins's club now just two games back of the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks would very much like to have that win back.
To do so, they'll need to stop Elton Brand. Brand, who always torches the Knicks, had a season-high 33 points on Friday, including 19 in the first quarter. None of the Knicks in the top of the rotation could stop him, but the massive Timofey Mozgov had some success off the bench. That being the case, Mike D'Antoni has decided to start the Russian rookie, bolstering New York's defense and rebounding around the basket.
Tip-off is at noon on MSG. See Posting and Toasting for more Knicks coverage.