Knicks vs. Blazers (Game 31): Jan. 1st, 7:30 PM EST

New York Knicks: 21-9 (12-2 at home)
Portland Trail Blazers: 15-14 (4-10 on the road)
Head-to-Head: First Meeting

TV: MSG

All eyes are going to be on one man tonight, Amar’e Stoudemire.

After missing 30 games this season with a knee injury, Stoudemire is back in the line-up.

Just to temper expectations, Woody is not going just throw him into the fire. Amar’e will be worked slowly back (coming off the bench, playing limited minutes), until his knee is 100% and his conditioning is 100%.

I have full confidence that STAT will be fine on the offensive end. My worry is that he is a bit behind on the defensive end. It will take some time for him to pick up what we are doing at that end, the rotations, the spacing, the switching… hopefully, with a few more practices and real-game situations, he’ll get there.

We just need him to be serviceable on that end, not a liability (which he has been his whole career). If Melo can do it, so can you Amar’e.

Key Matchup: Damian Lillard vs. Jason Kidd - Lillard has been the rookie of the year so far. Excited to see him play.

Over/Under Game:

  • JR Smith: 25 points
  • Stoudemire: 15 minutes
  • Stoudemire: 8 points
  • Lillard: 27 points
  • Jeffries: 2 Charges

Just promise me one thing Garden crowd, please give Amar’e a very long standing ovation when he checks into the game.

Melo will be a game-time decision tonight.

Betting Line: Knicks by 9 (O/U 198.0)
Prediction: Knicks 104, Blazers 93
Prediction Record: 21-9

Twitter: @KnicksKnotes

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