The New York Knicks are on a mission to secure a solid playoff position in the Eastern Conference, striving to steer clear of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
After grappling with injuries to key players, the team has remarkably stabilized its position over the past couple of weeks.
Now trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers by only 1.5 games for third place in the East, with just one game behind in the loss column, the Knicks are riding high on a four-game winning streak.
This surge in form sets the stage for their final showdown of a demanding four-game road trip.
Their next challenge?
A visit to the Denver Nuggets in the thin air of the Mile High City. Facing the defending NBA champions presents a formidable task, especially considering the Nuggets" ongoing battle for the top spot in the Western Conference.
However, the Knicks" biggest hurdle in this matchup will be finding a way to contain the dominance of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
In their initial encounter earlier this season, Jokic proved to be a force to be reckoned with, notching 31 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.
On that occasion, Jokic"s stellar performance stood in stark contrast to his teammates" struggles, resulting in a resounding 122-84 victory for the Knicks on January 25th.
Aaron Gordon was the sole Nuggets player to reach double figures in scoring, with Jokic accounting for the lion"s share of their offensive output.
As the Knicks prepared to face the Nuggets once again on Thursday night, guard Josh Hart fielded questions about the team"s defensive strategy against Jokic. Hart responded by saying, “Pray".
Josh Hart when asked what the Knicks can do to slow down Nikola Jokic:
"Pray."
(via @FredKatz) pic.twitter.com/FTy4fWKQjD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 21, 2024
While the Knicks aim to devise a tactical approach, they may ultimately find themselves relying on divine intervention to curb Jokic"s impact on the court.
Recalling their successful game plan from their previous encounter could offer a blueprint for the Knicks as they seek to neutralize Jokic"s influence once again.
After all, Denver"s most lopsided defeat of the 2023-24 NBA regular season came at the hands of the Knicks, providing a glimmer of hope amidst their daunting task.
