New Jersey Nets vs. New York Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, and Spread Info

The New York Knicks will host the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night in the final preseason game for each team. The Knicks beat the Nets 92-83 when the two teams met this past Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Because of the shortened preseason, this figures to be little more than a final tuneup, with the starters playing much more sparingly than they did in the first game. The Knicks will be preparing for their opener on Christmas day against the Boston Celtics, while the Nets take on the Washington Wizards the following night.

New York heads into the season trying to make back-to-back playoff appearances after having not made the postseason since 2004. The Nets will look to get back on track as well under new owner Mikhail Prokhorov and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

This game won't tell us much about either team heading into the regular season, but it will most definitely be very helpful to both coaching staffs moving forward.

Where: Madison Square Garden in New York City

When: Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. EST

Watch: MSG

Listen: WFAN 660 AM (New Jersey) and WEPN 1050 AM (New York)

Betting Line: New York (-6)

Nets Key Injuries

Out: F Shawne Williams (illness)

Knicks Key Injuries

Out: F Jared Jeffries (calf), F Bill Walker (groin)

Probable: G Toney Douglas (shoulder)

What's at Stake?

Essentially the only thing at stake for either team at this point is avoiding injuries. Neither team will want one of its star players to get injured with the start of the regular season less than a week away, so that is why the starters figure to only play about a quarter rather than the three quarters they played on Saturday.

Also, some of the younger players on both teams will have an opportunity to receive increased playing time during the regular season by being inserted into the rotation. While both Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and Nets coach Avery Johnson may take what they see with a grain of salt, some of the youngsters would be well served to put on a good performance.

What They're Saying

The condensed offseason and preseason certainly isn't making things easy for head coaches across the league. That can certainly be said for Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni as he attempts to sort out his lineup ahead of Sunday's regular season opener against the Boston Celtics, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.

"

My mind will never be settled for Sunday, D’Antoni said. It’s too early, too quick, and it came at everybody all together. So you’re always going to have some trepidation. But I do know that the guys are working hard.

Usually, you have a month to work it out, he said. You don’t assume it works out. Now you have to assume something, and I want to be careful about jumping at conclusions, that I just saw 15 minutes of something I like, instead of a month of something I like.

"

Nets Player to Watch: G Marshon Brooks

The Nets acquired Providence guard Marshon Brooks from the Boston Celtics on draft day after he was drafted 25th overall in hopes that he could be a spark scorer off the bench. In the Nets' first preseason game, he proven that he had that type of potential, as he dropped 10 points in 15 minutes as a reserve.

While Brooks will once again come off the bench on Wednesday, he figures to get much more playing time with the starters probably only playing about a quarter. Brooks will have an excellent opportunity to showcase his offensive ability to head coach Avery Johnson and perhaps become a go-to guy off the bench when the regular season starts.

Knicks Player to Watch: G Iman Shumpert

Like the Nets' Marshon Brooks, Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert was quite impressive in his NBA debut Saturday, as he scored 16 points against the Nets off the bench. Shumpert was drafted primarily for his fantastic skill as a perimeter defender, but he is also an excellent athlete who has the potential to excel on the offensive end.

I have to believe that Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni already has Shumpert penciled in as a defensive stopper thanks to his length and athleticism. But Shumpert will have chance to perhaps expand that role with a great effort on Wednesday. If Shumpert turns in a similar performance to Saturday, D'Antoni will have to take notice.

Key Matchup: Nets Reserves vs. Knicks Reserves

Without knowing what either coach has planned in terms of playing time, it is extremely difficult to point to one matchup that might decide this game. What we do know, though, is that the starters will only appear briefly so as not to risk injury. Because of that, this game will come down to which team's reserves play better.

Both teams have had a lot of shifting in terms of their reserves from last season, so this game will likely tell both coaches a lot about what they have in that regard. The Knicks' reserve backcourt of rookie Iman Shumpert and veteran Mike Bibby was excellent when these teams met on Saturday, so I would give New York the slight edge.

Prediction

Knicks 88, Nets 83