Game Day: Knicks vs. Rockets, 2/13/21

The Knicks face a Victor Oladipo-less Rockets in their first game post-Mitch breaking his hand. Will the defense be able to do enough for the Knicks to still win going forward? Will Obi start getting some more responsibility?

Well I guess my friend Doug’s one true love, Kickin’ Breath Smartbrow, will finally get his wish. Congratulations, turkey! Now that Mitchell Robinson has a broken hand, the Knicks can finally, at long last, regress to the defensive mean. Can Nerlens Noel fill the gigantic Mitch-shaped hole in the wall? Tune in, crime stoppers.

With Derrick Rose in tow, the Knicks have been able to oil a lot of the second unit’s grinding gears. It’s still not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But when Austin Rivers was the strike plate, one of the biggest fish out of water players was Obi Toppin. Now Obi is starting to feel the game a little bit more. It’s still moving a little faster than he’s accustomed to, but we’re starting to get a clearer vision of what the lottery pick’s role will be. With the next man up-isms we’ll certainly be peering in on, maybe he’ll even get some run at the 5 spot, where he’ll get to mesh his role in college with his increased responsibilities at the pro level.

Obi’s situation aside, there is now another pile of bricks that the Knicks will have to load on Julius Randle’s back. He’s been the most invigorating breath of fresh air the Knicks have had since Amar’e Stoudemire’s first year in New York. If he has any shot at making the All-Star Game, now’s the time to bolster your case.

Victor Oladipo’s also out for the Rockets, which gives the Knicks two straight games against a team missing their potent wing weapon.

Knicks by -10

Now is the time against the Rockets when we dance!

Feel free to come on in and comment along with us during the game in this thread.