New York Knicks: Predicting How Carmelo, Amar'e and Co. Do for Month of March
"So far, so good." Or, "Two outta three ain't bad." One of those.
Expecting three-for-three might have been much, considering it takes time for players to gel along with a Heat game in Miami on the schedule. Knicks fans should be temporarily, and tentatively, satisfied with the 2-1 record since Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and company joined the team.
Yes, they lost to the Cavaliers, again, but the Knicks meet Cleveland two more times this season, including once in March, and it's not really going out on a limb to say revenge will be on New York's mind.
The Knicks better make sure to put that one in their pocket, though, because this March will be one of the more grueling months in recent years.
There are 18 games on the schedule this March, most since the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when the Knicks were forced to squeeze in the same number.
This time, there is a remake wedged in there—to cover that postponement when falling debris at Madison Square Garden forced a cancellation of the October 2nd Knicks-Magic contest. That game was rescheduled for March 28th.
All together, the Knicks meet Orlando three times in March. Luckily, they will not have to face the Heat, Lakers or Spurs for the remainder of the year.
The Knicks' season may just be wrapped up in what happens in this lion of a month. It's a perfect test of their mettle at a perfect time and will take them into a light seven-game April. A solid performance in March will help the Knicks cruise into the playoffs relatively rested.
While other sports, pundits might give you a general overview of what's up next, we here at Bleacher Report get a little more specific. I'm going to stick my neck out, knowing full well the savvy B/R readership will know how hard this is and will be kind, and predict the outcome of every Knicks game in March.
Not only that, but I'm also going to try at the final score. Don't try this at home. Actually, yeah go ahead. Let's hear your predictions for some of the games and see who gets closest.
I don't expect to be perfect (or terrible)—somewhere in the middle at least I hope. I did my best.
In the end, I have the Knicks going 12-6 (what?!), which is a little optimistic. But it's a reasonable guess, especially with the new team's makeup and their lineup of opponents.
Here is your handy Knicks schedule for the month of March. Bookmark it and come back to see how you did as the month proceeds. I'll be checking in too.
And do yourself a favor, don't make any bets based on any of this.
1. March 1 (Tue): @ Orlando Magic, 7:00PM
1 of 18
Back on December 30th, the Magic beat the Knicks 112-103 in Orlando for their fifth of nine consecutive wins. Stoudemire recorded 30 points that game, but the Knicks also received a combined 53 points from the now-gone Chandler, Felton and Gallinari, which is a lot for Anthony and Billups to make up.
The Knicks, too, are ripe for the typical let-down game following their big emotional win over the Heat on Sunday night.
Tough to win two games in a row on the road against two of the best teams in the East.
Final Score: Orlando Magic 102 - New York Knicks 96
2. March 2 (Wed): Vs. New Orleans Hornets, 7:30PM
2 of 18
New York faces another tough defense the following night in the New Orleans Hornets.
This game will be some trouble for the Knicks, but they should bounce back following their loss in Orlando in front of a fired-up Garden crowd.
Final Score: New York Knicks 106 - New Orleans Hornets 98
3. March 4 (Fri): Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30PM
3 of 18
Not this time.
The Cavaliers may have had the Knicks' number the first two times, but the third will be a charm for New York, who will undoubtably be playing before a blood-thirsty crowd.
The Knicks annihilate the Cavs.
Final Score: New York Knicks 115 - Cleveland Cavaliers 95
4. March 6 (Sun): @ Atlanta Hawks, 6:30PM
4 of 18
The Knicks will stick it to the Hawks offensively, as they begin to gel, but there's no indication they can beat the Hawks in Atlanta.
The Knicks stall.
Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 108 - New York Knicks 104
5. March 7 (Mon): Vs. Utah Jazz, 7:30PM
5 of 18
The Knicks had major trouble with the Jazz' offense back on January 12, when New York was bled in a 131-125 loss. It was the most points the Knicks gave up all year.
But the Knicks take revenge at home in another high-scoring affair.
Final Score: New York Knicks 120 - Utah Jazz 110
6. March 9 (Wed): @ Memphis Grizzlies, 8:00PM
6 of 18
The fatigued Knicks face the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time this season on March 9th, the Knicks' sixth game in nine days.
They lose in a let down.
Final Score: Memphis Grizzlies 110 - New York Knicks 95
7. March 10 (Thu): @ Dallas Mavericks, 8:30PM
7 of 18
The Knicks drop another. The Mavericks are too good on both sides of the ball and expose the Knicks' holes on defense, while stifling both Anthony and Stoudemire. Billups has a good game.
Final Score: Dallas Mavericks 115 - New York Knicks 96
8. March 13 (Sun): Vs. Indiana Pacers, 6:00PM
8 of 18
The Knicks take a breath, return home and get back on track, whupping the Indiana Pacers.
Final Score: New York Knicks 120 - Indiana Pacers 102
9. March 15 (Tue): @ Indiana Pacers, 7:00PM
9 of 18
And do the same in Indiana, but this game is closer.
Final Score: New York Knicks 96 - Indiana Pacers 90
10. March 17 (Thu): Vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 7:30PM
10 of 18
The Knicks avenge their earlier loss against the Grizzlies and take this one.
Final Score: New York Knicks 112 - Memphis Grizzlies 105
11. March 18 (Fri): @ Detroit Pistons, 7:30PM
11 of 18
The Knicks storm into Detroit and beat the Pistons for the third time this season
Final Score: New York Knicks 118 - Detroit Pistons 110
12. March 20 (Sun): @ Milwaukee Bucks, 3:00PM
12 of 18
The Knicks win their fifth in a row, beating the Milwaukee Bucks on the road.
Final Score: New York Knicks 110 - Milwaukee Bucks 103
13. March 21 (Mon): Vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30PM
13 of 18
But they still can't beat Boston, and this time, Doc and the Celtics won't be taken by surprise. It's a third close and hard-fought game between the two.
The Garden is raucous, but the fans go home hungry.
Final Score: Boston Celtics 110 - New York Knicks 107
14. March 23 (Wed): Vs. Orlando Magic, 8:00PM
14 of 18
Finally the Knicks top the Magic, as their new lineup matches up well with Orlando.
Final Score: New York Knicks 105 - Orlando Magic 99
15. March 25 (Fri): Vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 7:30PM
15 of 18
The Knicks take the season series from the Bucks 3-1 and win this one handily.
Final Score: New York Knicks 112 - Milwaukee Bucks 102
16. March 26 (Sat): @ Charlotte Bobcats, 7:00PM
16 of 18
The Charlotte Bobcats continue their slide after trading Gerald Wallace and lose to the Knicks the third time this season.
Final Score: New York Knicks 104 - Charlotte Bobcats 98
17. March 28 (Mon): Vs. Orlando Magic, 7:30PM
17 of 18
Not this time.
Orlando won't lose to the Knicks again.
Final Score: Orlando Magic 115 - New York Knicks 106
18. March 30 (Wed): Vs. New Jersey Nets, 7:30PM
18 of 18
The Nets are no match for the Knicks.
Final Score: New York Knicks 110 - New Jersey Nets 100
