Carmelo Anthony returns to his alma mater with the New York Knicks Oct. 22 to face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Carrier Dome.
The Knicks played its first game of the season Thursday Oct. 11, against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. Winning 108-101, the Knicks had a solid offensive performance from forward, Steve Novak. While it’s a bit early for analysis, the 48 minutes of play revealed some flaws the Knicks left with after losing to the Miami Heat in the playoffs (4-1).
Head coach Mike Woodson is still toying with player compatibility with the absence of Jeremy Lin. Lin did not play in the playoffs and was traded to the Houston Rockets in the 2012 offseason.
While the 76ers did not lose anyone on its roster, they did make a major pick-up in the offseason. Landing Andrew Bynum from the Los Angles Lakers in August 2012, he did not debut with the team in Thursday’s game due to a knee injury.
Without starting center Bynum, The Sixers won a 102-95 over the Orlando Magic. The duo to get the job done was point guard Jrue Holiday, scoring 27 points and second teams shooting guard Nick Young with 22 points.
Both teams are currently (1-0), but if Melo plans on leading the Knicks to a victory in front of his Syracuse fans, the team must limit their turnovers and Melo has to have a stronger performance.
The Knicks averaged 15 turnovers against the Wizards and only six fast break points. While the 76ers too averaged 15 turnovers in the first game, they respond and capitalize off of mistakes. The Knicks only had six fast break points but the Sixers scored 24 fast break points from the Magic’s mistakes.
The Knicks are succeeding in other ways, improving behind the arc, Novak banked in all seven of his 3-point attempts, and as a whole the team was 18 of 33. The Sixers were 9 of 18.
With four more games before the match-up, the Knicks have time to develop. Melo will not lose in front of his home crowd. The Knicks are taking this win.