The New York Knicks, perfect at home with a 5-0 record, will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night in their first matchup of the season. New York aims to build momentum during its season-long homestand after a 137-114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. The Nets, with a 1-6 record, are coming off a 125-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The Knicks have dominated at home, winning their last four games at increasing margins. They opened the season with a 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 22, followed by a 105-95 win against the Boston Celtics two nights later. Last Sunday, New York beat the Chicago Bulls 128-116 to start its seven-game homestand, then defeated the Washington Wizards 119-102 the next day. The most recent win, a 23-point rout of the Timberwolves, featured a strong second half where the Knicks outscored Minnesota 83-56 overall, including a 40-28 third-quarter run after trailing 58-54 at halftime.
In the last three home games, New York has outscored opponents 205-160 after halftime, showcasing improved execution. Point guard Jalen Brunson nearly recorded a triple-double in the Timberwolves game, finishing with 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. "I think we're growing, we're learning," Brunson said. "Obviously, playing at home is a big factor. When we get back on the road, we have to focus up even harder than we do at home. Find a way to win."
The Knicks are 0-3 on the road but have time to gain momentum before their next trip. Meanwhile, the Nets struggled in their NBA Cup opener, losing 125-107 to the Pistons despite leading 29-27 after the first quarter. Brooklyn's only win came Wednesday, a 112-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers, but they have lost their other six games, five by 10 or more points.
Defensive issues plague the Nets, who allow 124.6 points per game, the second-most in the NBA, with opponents shooting 51.9% against them. Guard Cam Thomas is out at least a month with a strained left hamstring. Forward Noah Clowney scored 19 points against Detroit but highlighted paint problems: "We let them live in the paint and we shouldn't have. We knew going into the game we shouldn't have done that and we still let them live in the paint. They got big guys all sitting in the paint and you keep letting them get layups and dunks, it's going to be efficient."