(My Sportsbook) - Two Atlantic Division rivals close out the 2008-09 season tonight in the Big Apple, where the New York Knicks will host the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden. New Jersey will miss the playoffs for a second straight season and has won two straight games, including Monday's 91-87 victory versus the Charlotte Bobcats at the IZOD Center. Jarvis Hayes hit a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes to give the Nets a comfortable lead and ended with 15 points. Brook Lopez had 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for New Jersey, which will try to put the brakes on a five-game road losing streak Wednesday. The Nets are 15-25 away from the Meadowlands this season. Nets guards Vince Carter (toe) is probable for Wednesday's game and guard Keyon Dooling (calf) is listed as questionable. The Knicks, meanwhile, haven't made the playoffs since the 2003-04 campaign and have dropped three of their last four games. In a 122-105 loss at Miami on Sunday, Heat superstar Dwyane Wade recorded a career-high 55 points to burn the Knicks, who got 21 points apiece from Wilson Chandler and Al Harrington. Quentin Richardson had 14 points and David Lee chipped in 11 points and 11 boards in defeat. New York is 19-21 at MSG this season. New Jersey is 2-1 against the rival Knicks this season and has won two straight and 13 of the past 18 matchups between the teams. The Nets have also won two straight and 10 of their last 12 trips to Madison Square Garden. |
