Knicks Dominate Pelicans in a Confident Return to Madison Square Garden
On December 1, 2024, the New York Knicks faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden in a matchup that highlighted contrasting fortunes for the two teams. After a tough five-game road trip, the Knicks returned home eager to get back on track, while the Pelicans, struggling with injuries, were looking to break a seven-game losing streak.
The Knicks, currently sitting at 11-8 for the season, were in high spirits after a solid start to the year, ranking third in the NBA for offensive rating. Averaging 117.8 points per game, they’ve showcased an offensive game that can challenge even the best defenses. However, their last two games were less than convincing; they suffered a tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks and barely escaped with a win against the Charlotte Hornets. The key to those losses appeared to be the opponents’ use of switching defenses to disrupt the Knicks' rhythm. The Pelicans, though far from full strength, were expected to implement a similar strategy.
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New Orleans came into this game with a 4-16 record, facing a season riddled with injuries. Star players like Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson were both sidelined, and the absence of other key players, including Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins, only added to their woes. With their offense struggling, the Pelicans averaged just 103.5 points per game—ranking them last in the league. Despite their struggles, they still had talented players like CJ McCollum and newcomer Dejounte Murray, who could prove to be threats in this matchup.
The Knicks, on the other hand, had their own injury concerns, with Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, and Kevin McCullar Jr. unavailable. Nevertheless, the team’s overall talent was far superior, especially with stars like Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson leading the charge. The Knicks also ranked second in effective field goal percentage and excelled at limiting opponents’ second-chance opportunities. New York's defense has been solid, ranking among the best in preventing rebounds, steals, and limiting two-point attempts.
Coming back to their home crowd after the road struggles, the Knicks were confident that they could take advantage of a depleted Pelicans squad. Despite New Orleans’ attempt to employ a switching defense strategy, the Knicks’ offense proved to be too much. They capitalized on the Pelicans’ lack of depth and momentum, outmatching them in nearly every aspect of the game.
As predicted, ESPN gave the Knicks a 75% chance of winning, and their dominance on both ends of the floor reflected this. The final score was a clear demonstration of New York’s superior play, with the Knicks winning by a comfortable margin. The victory helped to reassert their dominance in the Eastern Conference, and the team’s confidence was high as they look ahead to their next challenges.
This game not only marked a crucial win for the Knicks, but it also illustrated the Pelicans' ongoing struggles. As New Orleans continues to battle injuries, they’ll need to find solutions if they want to turn their season around. For the Knicks, however, it was a much-needed return to form, reminding fans of the team's potential when clicking on all cylinders.
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