Jeremy Lin's back in town, while Carmelo Anthony sits out for tonight's big game as the man who created "Linsanity" in the Big Apple last season returns to New York tonight when the Rockets take on the Eastern Conference leading New York Knicks.
The last time the Rockets played the Knicks, Lin helped the Rockets manhandle New York in a 131-103 lopsided win in Houston. Will it be more of the same tonight when Lin returns to Madison Square Garden? Or will the Big Apple take a bite out of Houston?
Latinos Post breaks down the top match-ups for tonight's game:
Power forward: Rasheed Wallace, Knicks vs. Terrence Jones, Rockets
With Anthony out after nursing a sprained ankle he sustained against the Lakers last week, that leaves the 38-year-old Wallace, who has been reliable this season as a backup, against Jones, who was called days ago to replace Patterson, who is out indefinitely with a bone bruise in his foot
Wallace is stronger and more experienced, but will youth win the day for the Rockets at this battle?
Advantage: Even
Small forward: Ronnie Brewer, Knicks vs. Chandler Parsons, Rockets
The last time Parsons faced the Knicks last month, he dropped 31 points on New York. And he has been holding steady as the Rockets' No.3 (sometimes No.2) scoring option this month, with 15.3 points per game.
He will face a challenge in Brewer, whose defensive know-how, his staple in Chicago, could mean the difference in tonight's game.
Advantage: Rockets
Center: Tyson Chandler, Knicks vs. Omer Asik, Rockets
Chandler, who has been the heart and soul of the Knicks on defense and as a leader, proved to be clutch against the Cavaliers on Saturday, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter to finish with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Asik, meanwhile, has been solid for the Rockets all season, the All-Star nominee logging double-double averages of 10.6 points and 11.2 rebounds for the last 10 games. When these seven-footers collide in the paint, expect things to get physical, but at the rate Chandler has been playing, Asik will have a battle on his hands.
Advantage: Knicks
Shooting Guard: Jason Kidd, Knicks vs. James Harden, Rockets
Harden is playing out of this world. There's no other way to describe it.
The fifth-best scorer in the league at 25.0 points per game, Lin is lighting up opponents for 24.7 points for the month of December. Still, he will face his challenges trying to contain a resurgent Kidd, who has been proving that even nearing 40 years old, he still has the defensive presence to steal the ball, a knack for hitting clutch shots-such as his late-game three-pointer against the Nets last week-and his knack for the three-point shot, currently third in the league in three-point percentage at .489.
Advantage: Rockets
Point Guard: Raymond Felton vs. Jeremy Lin, Rockets
All eyes will be on Madison Square garden as Lin makes his return to the place where he became a household name last season during the birth of "Linsanity."
Lin has a solid night against New York with 13 points and three assists as the Rockets handed the Eastern Conference-leading Knicks (17-5) their worst loss of the season thus far with a 131-103 thrashing in Houston on Nov. 23. But Felton also had a good night with 17 points and eight assists. More importantly, Felton, who replaced Lin in New York after the latter signed with Houston in free agency, is having a stellar season, with 18.7 points in December and actually in the running for All-Star consideration.
The crowd reaction to Lin's return could be a difference maker for Lin, and will definitely test his mental toughness playing as a visitor in one of the NBA's most rowdy crowds against one of the best point guards the East has to offer.
Advantage: Knicks
Bench: Pablo Prigioni, JR Smith, Steve Novak, Knicks vs. Toney Douglas, Greg Smith, Carlos Delfino, Rockets
Douglas and Smith have proven this season that they can provide solid support off the bench when they are forced to step up. And Delfino's 9.1 points off the bench in the last 10 games has been big for this young Rockets squad.
However, J.R. Smith is averaging 17 points in the last two games and, while streaky, can provide the Knicks with a pop off the bench. If Prigioni can continue to be solid and Novak can get open beyond the arc, the reserve corps could very well make a difference tonight.
Advantage: Knicks
For live scores of the game, go to this link.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
