The NBA-best Golden State Warriors rested four key players for Friday's road loss to the Denver Nuggets, so they'll be plenty rested on the second game of a back-to-back when they host the NBA-worst New York Knicks at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Can the Knicks still pull off the upset? Will the Warriors roll Derek Fisher's young team out of the gym? Here's our preview for tonight's matchup.
Projected Starting Lineups
New York Knicks (13-51)
G Langston Galloway – 10.9 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.0 rpg
G Alexey Shved – 12.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg
F Lance Thomas – 7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Louis Amundson – 6.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg
C Andrea Bargnani – 13.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Golden State Warriors (51-13)
G Stephen Curry – 23.6 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.4 rpg, 2.15 spg
G Klay Thompson – 21.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg
C Andrew Bogut – 6.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg
What to watch for:
The Warriors at full-throttle
Steve Kerr made the decision to rest Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Bogut, and Andre Iguodala last night in the Mile High City, and it still took a late rally for the Nuggets to outdistance the Dubs. Bringing all those guys back with an extra day of rest, plus the potential return of Marreese Speights from a one-game suspension, means great things for Golden State's home crowd and not-so-great things for the Knicks.
Shveding the competition
Alexey Shved posted his second-straight double-double for the Knicks in Thursday's 101-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. His 14 points and 11 rebounds were a key factor in the team's first breakthrough is six games, and New York will be looking for more of the same from him if they hope to keep this one close by the Bay.
Prediction: Warriors win 111-87
This game has epic blowout written all over it. This is the NBA, so strange things can definitely happen...but a well-rested Warriors team defending its league-best 28-2 home record should have an easy time of it with the rudderless Knicks.
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