Final
Knicks, Nets conclude season series at MSG
Jan 21, 2013 - 3:39 PMVideo
But that's the way the schedule broke, so the Martin Luther King, Jr. afternoon game on Monday at Madison Square Garden will be it, unless the two teams meet in the playoffs.
"We don't need to hype our guys up for this: it's a division rival, it's the other team in the city, they've beaten us two out of three, so what more?," said Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo. "It's Martin Luther King Day, it's the Garden, it's a big game for city basketball."
The Nets won the first game this season, in Brooklyn, after what was supposed to be the season-opener was canceled after Superstorm Sandy. The Knicks won the next two, including the makeup game, at the Barclays Center.
After a great run under Carlesimo, the Nets have closed the gap and only trail the Knicks by two games for the Atlantic Division lead.
Clearly, Carlesimo was correct - this game means a lot.
The Knicks aren't just returning to the Garden on Monday, they're returning to the good old United States of America. New York played the Detroit Pistons in London on Thursday and left jolly ole' England with a 102-87 victory.
The big news out of London was the return of defensive specialist Iman Shumpert to the lineup, and the starting lineup at that. Shumpert missed the whole season up until Thursday after he tore his ACL during the first round of last season's playoffs.
Shumpert played just under 15 minutes and scored eight points to go along with two rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
"It was a wonderful test for him," said Knicks coach Mike Woodson after the game. "He answered the bell, loud and clear."
Carmelo Anthony set the pace for the Knicks with 26 points. Four other New York players scored in double figures, including Tyson Chandler, who pulled down 14 rebounds.
The Nets have been fantastic under Carlesimo, posting a 10-2 record. Their version of the Big Three was on display Friday night when they beat the Atlanta Hawks, 94-89, in the second of a home-and-home.
At the Barclays Center, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez combined for 62 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and a block. Andray Blatche had 11 off the bench and Reggie Evans pulled down 20 boards.
Williams went 7-for-7 from the foul line and has made 47 straight free throws. The Hawks game was close, but Lopez came over and blocked a key Jeff Teague shot under a minute to go to seal the victory.
"I tried to get over and I was fortunate to block the shot," said Lopez.
The Knicks are 8-2 in their last 10 against the Nets.
- BROOKLYN: 88
NEW YORK: 85
Final
Jan 21 6:00 PM - BROOKLYN: 88
NEW YORK: 85
End of Regulation
Jan 21 5:59 PM - 121
rootsRUWTbot Added 17 roots (Close Finish, Individual Performance)
Nets 67, Knicks 68 4th - 11:31Jan 21 5:25 PM - BROOKLYN: 65
NEW YORK: 68
End of 3rd
Jan 21 5:21 PM - 104
roots - 108
roots - BROOKLYN: 47
NEW YORK: 41
Halftime
Jan 21 4:41 PM - BROOKLYN: 26
NEW YORK: 24
End of 1st
Jan 21 4:10 PM - BROOKLYN: 2
NEW YORK: 0
1st Quarter - 11:44
Jan 21 3:43 PM
Related News
- NBA Injury Updates: Karl Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to Miss Significant Time Mar 7
- Knicks Robbed By Late Call on Jalen Brunson Feb 13
- REPORT: Boston’s interest in Kelly Olynyk and obstacles to a Knicks’ Dejounte Murray trade Dec 26
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons preview: Pistons try to avoid history Dec 26
- Knicks 129, Bucks 122: “Manhattanite Christmas Carol“ Dec 26
- Kevin Ollie enjoying his new role with Brooklyn Nets as assistant coach ... and motivator Dec 25
- Scenes from a Christmas miracle at MSG Dec 25
- Christmas Game Thread: New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks, December 25, 2023 Dec 25
- Dennis Smith Jr. return brings instant benefits to Brooklyn Nets Dec 25
- Christmas game preview, Knicks vs Bucks: Prediction, time, and how to watch Dec 24
- 3 Takeaways from Brooklyn Nets historic victory over Detroit Pistons Dec 24
- Preview of the Knicks’ upcoming week, Dec. 24-30. Dec 24