New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets Preview: How, Who to Watch As Knicks Hit the Road at Home

The New York Knicks wrap up a five-game road trip in their home city as they cross boroughs to battle the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

The New York Knicks are finishing a road trip at home.

After a rollercoaster West Coast swing, the Knicks are back in New York but one more game away from Madison Square Garden awaits as they battle the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. A win will give the Knicks a winning record in what's tied for their longest road trip of the season.

The Knicks enter on a bit of a high note, having spoiled the Los Angeles Lakers' raising of their In-Season Tournament championship banner with a 114-109 victory. Former Laker Julius Randle had a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double while Jalen Brunson scored a Knicks-best 29 in the victory, allowing the Knicks to salvage their annual LA doubleheader.

Meanwhile, the Nets have fallen to ninth place on the early Eastern Conference ledger after losses in four of their past five, having likewise embarked on a lengthy road trip. The last was a 125-108 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, one of three double-figure losses sustained in their own Western endeavors.

This will be the first of four meetings between the Knicks and Nets this season, with a second meeting at Barclays Center scheduled for Jan. 23. The Knicks won each of the last two showdowns, breaking a nine-game losing streak to their cross-borough rivals. New York has not earned a sweep of the Nets since the 2017-18 season.

What: New York Knicks (15-11) @ Brooklyn Nets (13-13)

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

When/Watch: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: NYK -1.5

Keep An Eye On: Taj Gibson

While the Knicks temporarily solved their defensive woes on Monday, it still stands to reason that they have issues in the interior with Mitchell Robinson injured. That problem only amplifies with Jericho Sims, the starter in place of Robinson, listed as questionable for Wednesday's game after playing only three minutes in the win over the Lakers. That thrust Gibson into some relatively high-profile minutes, which is a bit surprising considering he was simply trying to stay fit less than two weeks ago. Gibson's knowledge of the Tom Thibodeau playbook will be more vital than ever as New York tries to tread water until Robinson heals and he might have to take center stage (pun intended) if Sims misses any time.

Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Net to Watch: Cam Thomas

The Nets' post-Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving era is set to be led by Mikal Bridges but the team has also enjoyed a third-year breakout from Thomas, Brooklyn's trip out west was a struggle but it can at least take solace in the fact that Thomas managed to find some shooting stability: Thomas opened December averaging 16.7 points and shooting 35 percent from the field over his first six games but has had 73 points combined in his last two against Golden State and Utah. Thomas has struggled to hold onto the ball (eight turnovers in the last two games) but the Knicks would be wise not to let him get into any sort of shooting rhythm.

They Said It

“I’m still considering [coaching]. But it has to be the right situation. I want to be somewhere where I can learn, brighten my future. This is a bright spot for me, being around the coaching staff who I can learn from. Just top to bottom, this is just family for me.”-Gibson on why he opted to return to the Knicks (h/t Steve Popper, Newsday)

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Prediction

There may have already been three points where this young Knicks season could've gone off the rails, but they've responded very well in the face of adversity. With mighty Milwaukee coming in for a Christmas doubleheader, the Knicks know that they have a major opportunity afforded to them on Wednesday. After Monday's mastery of the Lakers, it's hard not to see them taking advantage.

Knicks 123, Nets 120