The New York Knicks (22-16) are still smarting from a failed comeback in Dallas. They had closed the differential to one point in clutch time but couldn’t recover from spotting the Mavs 20 points. The loss broke a five-game win streak, and ended OG Anunoby’s perfect run as a Knickerbocker. Had to happen sometime.
Tonight they will face the underwhelming, underperforming Memphis Grizzlies (14-24). Yesterday, the Grizz lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, so expect some fatigue on their part. To make matters worse, they’re also short-handed.
Ja Morant missed 30 games while suspended, returned long enough to raise hope for a salvaged season, and then suffered a season-ending injury; Marcus Smart busted his finger this week and will miss the next few weeks; and Derrick Rose is inactive, too.