New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Plans To Play Against Indiana Pacers
The New York Knicks could get starting point guard Derrick Rose back against the Indiana Pacers. Find out more about his intentions for the rivalry game.
Derrick Rose may be new to the New York Knicks, but he knows all about the Indiana Pacers. Throughout his Chicago Bulls career, he went to war with the Pacers in pursuit of Central Division titles and bragging rights between rivals.
The jump from Chicago to New York meant Rose was changing sides in a different rivalry, but his feud with the Pacers remains intact.
New York and Indiana have met in seven different postseason series. New York won series in 1993, 1994, and 1999, while Indiana moved on in 1995,1999, 2000, and 2013.
Rose plans to join the Knicks-Pacers rivalry by returning from his back injury for Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden.
New York has been sorely missing his presence.
Rose is currently averaging 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds on 45.6 percent shooting from the field. Prior to the game he was injured, when he played just 10 minutes against the Phoenix Suns, he was averaging 17.0 points on 46.5 percent shooting.
Most importantly, he’s still one of the NBA’s elite slashers—an impact that no other player on the Knicks can replicate.
Rose has only missed four games in 2016-17, but back spasms have become a recurring issue. He left the December 6 clash with the Miami Heat due to back spasms and proceeded to miss the next two games.
Rose then left the December 13 game against the Phoenix Suns for the same reason and has since missed two more outings.
Derrick Rose working on his shot after Knicks practice: pic.twitter.com/w1FOYByMgk
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 19, 2016
Brandon Jennings has done an outstanding job as sixth man and has filled in admirably as a starter. Ron Baker has been impressive as Jennings’ backup, but it’s quite clear that the Knicks are better when their rotation is at full strength.
With Rose back on the floor, the Knicks would be able to make a more concerted effort to defeating the rival Pacers.
Having already secured wins over the Bulls and Miami Heat, defeating the Pacers on Tuesday would make the 2016-17 season an early success.
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