The Left Coast tour continues for the New York Knicks (24*-14) with a stop in Portland as they visit the Moda Center to battle some tricky Trail Blazers (19-20).<\/p>\n
The Blazers are hovering around .500, which absolutely reflects their season so far. Following a stumble out of the gate, Portland has stabilized and shown signs of real competitiveness, to the point that they\u2019re legitimate candidates for the play-in. They have won five straight and seven of their last ten. That includes back-to-back victories over Houston and convincing wins against Utah, New Orleans, and San Antonio. Several of those contests featured late-game rallies, suggesting that this young team is maturing fast. They rank ninth in pace, 15th in scoring at 116.4 points per game, and 24th defensively by points allowed, with below-average offensive and defensive ratings.<\/p>\n
At the center of their momentum is Deni Avdija, a fifth-year player who, in his second season with the club, has emerged as Portland\u2019s most dangerous offensive weapon. Avdija is enjoying an All-Star-worthy, pouring in big scoring nights while also contributing as a rebounder and secondary playmaker (although my friend out there says Deni shouldn\u2019t handle the ball so often, and this team desperately needs the injured Scoot Henderson back).<\/p>\n
In his second season, the 7\u20192\u201d Donovan Clingan has averaged 11.1 points and 10.8 rebounds. He provides the Blazers with a strong interior presence, far outperforming Robert \u201cTimeLord\u201d Williams, III, now on the second unit.<\/p>\n
Third-year power forward Toumani Camara has also made his mark with energetic two-way play, including a recent career-high scoring performance, a 25-point showing on Friday against the Rockets when he made 5-of-11 from deep. Camara is a disruptive wing with some high-upside intangible, averaging 13.2 points and 5.2 boards this season.<\/p>\n
The high-flying Shaedon Sharpe has emerged as a central piece of Portland\u2019s offense this season, averaging 21.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He is one of the Blazers\u2019 primary scoring options behind Deni Avdija. After a slow start from three-point range, Sharpe has found his rhythm since December, regularly topping 20 points.<\/p>\n
Overall, despite their inconsistencies, this is a Blazers team trending in the right direction.<\/p>\n
The Knicks arrive still searching for balance. Losing six of their last ten games has exposed the predictability of their offense, which stalls in late-clock isolations and puts too much emphasis on Jalen Brunson to shoulder the load. Cap has been brilliant this season\u2014you don\u2019t win Player of the Month for nothing\u2014but New York\u2019s best version of itself depends on others asserting themselves alongside J.B. Against a Portland team that will happily load up on the ball, the Knicks need a decisive second option.<\/p>\n
Much of the spotlight falls on Karl-Anthony Towns, whose role has shrunk lately, with averages of 18.5 points and 10.5 boards in his last 10 games. For New York to control this matchup, his aggression has to show early. When the team swings the ball, touches the paint, and exploits their spacing, the offense is arguably the finest in the league. When it doesn\u2019t, the inefficiency compounds with their defensive shortcomings to make them look like a one-and-done playoff team.<\/p>\n
For the Knicks, Landry Shamet remains out with a shoulder injury but is nearing a return, while Josh Hart and Guerschon Yabusele are both listed as game-time decisions. Hart played in Portland for 64 games\u2014half a season after being traded from New Orleans, half a season before going to New York\u2014and seemed to enjoy his time there. Look for him to suit up tonight.<\/p>\n
Portland\u2019s injury report is a scroll, with Jerami Grant sidelined by an Achilles injury and Kris Murray out with a back issue, while defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle continues to recover from a thumb injury. The Blazers may also be shorthanded in the backcourt and frontcourt, depending on the availability of Jrue Holiday (calf) and Robert Williams III (knee), both of whom are listed as game-time decisions.<\/p>\n
ESPN.com likes the Knicks at 67%. We get it, but we\u2019re not as confident. Portland enters this one riding real momentum behind a fast-paced, confident young core led by Avdija and Sharpe. Meanwhile, New York\u2019s recent losing ways could begin to erode their confidence, and fatigue is always possible with road trips. Too often they have played down to their opponent, and, given the travel schedule, we\u2019re skeptical that coach Mike Brown has had the time and opportunity to straighten out the team\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n
The Knicks need to move the ball early, to ease the late-game burden on Brunson, and they need an assertive night from Karl-Anthony Towns against that gorilla Clingan. Despite it being a January road game versus a team with a losing record, this has all the makings of a thriller. Age and beauty wins it in the end\u2014Knicks by five.<\/p>\n
Teams: New York Knicks (24*-14) at Portland Trail Blazers (19-20)<\/p>\n
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2024<\/p>\n
Location: Moda Center, Portland, OR<\/p>\n
Follow: @ptknicksblog<\/a> and bsky<\/a><\/p>\n * Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn\u2019t count.<\/p>\n