Harden Leads Rockets into NY, Take on Knicks at the Mecca of Basketball
The Beard’s Coming. Laughingstock Garden. Turn Things Around.
“If you build it, he will come.” An iconic quote from the sports movie Field of Dreams, that’s still considered one of the greatest movies lines to this day. On Wednesday night, the Rockets ride into the NBA’s version of Field of Dreams, Madison Square Garden aka the Mecca of basketball. Houston has their own icon playing at the top of his game in James Harden. Expect something special from the Beard tonight, as the Knicks are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and should pose no threat to Harden’s dynamic offensive-prowess.
The Knicks have quietly become the laughingstock of the NBA. That title used to belong to the Clippers, but they reached the playoffs and are still overachieving with Doc Rivers at the helm. James Dolan and poor ownership have driven the Knicks to the lowest depths of the NBA. They’ve been in rebuilding mode since Carmelo Anthony left, and the Knicks have made little to no progress since. Their best player, Kristaps Porzingis has been sidelined all season with an injury. New York’s finest at the moment, comes in the form of Tim Hardaway Jr. Houston needs to keep an eye on him out on the perimeter to prevent the Knicks’ young star from having a big night.
Over time, Madison Square Garden has been the place where the best players have some of their best moments. It seems like every great player has scored 50 points in the Garden. The Beard is on a scoring tear unseen since the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, 50 years ago. Look for Harden to have a big night and lead the Rockets to a victory after their disappointing outcome in Philly. Don’t be surprised if the Rockets’ superstar decides to make another statement in his bid for back-to-back MVP’s. All the ingredients are in store for a very special evening tonight at Madison Square Garden. Lucky for the Rockets, they have Chef Harden to cook things up the Harden-way. The Beard’s never had a 50-point game at MSG in his career. That could change, as New York still houses the place where the world’s most famous arena was built, where players have come for decades to add defining moments to their legacies… and on tonight’s occasion, as the Knicks already know, the Beard’s coming.
Madison Square Garden: New York City, New York
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (26-20): “Earned” Red
New York Knicks (10-35): White
TV: 6:30 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW