Hempstead, NY: The Brooklyn Nets hosted the NY Knicks at the Nassau Coliseum in the final preseason game for both teams. It was a packed house. Although the Knicks were the visiting team, the crowd seems to be in their favor. On the first offensive possession, Tyson Chandler was injured while setting a pick for Carmelo Anthony. Reports from the Knicks lockeroom, Tyson Chandler has a sore right knee and will not return.
It was a poor shooting start for Melo as he went 0-5 in the first quarter. Raymond Felton got things started for the Knicks from three-point-land, breaking the ice. The Nets offense was clicking on all cylinders, as Joe Johnson and Deron Williams were on fire from downtown. Williams knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the quarter, with the Nets leading 23-to-14 at the end of the 1st quarter.
In the second quarter the Knicks featured Chris Copeland (“Mr Offense”). Copeland is still fighting for the final roster spot. He has been outstanding during the preseason, leading the second unit in scoring. The Knicks still haven’t announced if they are planning to sign Copeland to a contract. The Knicks led at the half 46-to-43.
The Nets started the second half in a funk – no cohesion on the offense – allowing the Knicks to push the lead to 7 with 7:30 remaining in the 3rd quarter. After a time out by Nets coach Avery Johnson, the momentum shifted to the Nets. Deron Williams along Brook Lopez ignited a 6-0 run to bring the Nets within one point with only 1:50 left in the 3rd quarter.
It was all Knicks, in the fourth quarter as both coaches went to the bench assuring none of the key player would get injured late in a preseason game. With 3:40 left in the 4th quarter Net Rookie Tyson Taylor sparked a 6-0 run, tying the game at 86 and forcing overtime.
In overtime it was Steve Novak to the rescue, after knocking down back-to-back three-pointers. The Knicks would finally secure the game, winning 97-to-95.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY