MATCHUP OF THE GAME

Rudy has not been playing well in the couple games since he came back from the flu. His shots have been short, his aggressiveness has been lacking, and his defense hasn't been there. The Kings really need him to step up tonight because Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players in the league, especially offensively where he's averaging 27.1 points. If Rudy can make Melo expend some energy on the other end, that will be a nice bonus. Here's hoping the Rudy we've seen the last couple games is an aberration and not some kind of regression to the mean.

3 THINGS

3. Remember when we talked about pace earlier? Contrary to what you may think, the Knicks are not a team that likes to get up and down the court, playing at the 3rd slowest pace in the league. The Kings need to push the pace and wear out the older Knicks. The Kings in particular haven't been able to get on the fastbreak as much, and that needs to change.

PRE-GAME HAIKU

PREDICTION