N.Y. Knicks: RJ Barrett Marches Through New Orleans

From the desk: KICKIN' CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WIT' JIMMY

SATURDAY

Knicks        123

PELICANS  117

FINAL

RJ Barrett Scores Career-High 35 Points

Last season the Knicks ranked twelfth in conference scoring with 107 points per game.  With two key off-season acquisitions and newfound consistency from beyond the arc, they've not only alleviated some of the scoring burdens off the shoulders of Julius Randle, but they're presently averaging 117 points through the first six games of this still-young season.

• Defensively, the Knicks last season allowed 104.7 ppg; through six games, that number presently sits at 109.8 ppg.

RJ Barrett, drafted by the Knicks with the third overall pick of the 2019 draft, is slowly but surely becoming a star under Tom Thibodeau.  It's not absurd to imagine Thibodeau building a relationship with Barrett similar to the one he enjoyed in Chicago (and still enjoys) with Derrick Rose.

Entering his third season, the 21-year old led the Knicks at New Orleans with a career-high 35 points, including 6/8 from three, and a team-high eight rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.  Barrett scored 25 points in the second half, of which 16 came in the fourth quarter.  Saturday marked his second consecutive 20+ point game.

Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker finished with 19 points each.  With RJ Barrett, the three joined in shooting 15/23 (65.2%) from beyond the arc for 45 points.  As the only three with double-digit attempts, they collectively shot 24/43 (55.8%) from the field for 73 of the Knicks' 123 total points.

Julius Randle was 4/9 from the field for ten points with six rebounds and four assists in a game-high 38 minutes.  It's the first time he has attempted less than ten field goals this season and the fourth consecutive game of decreased shot attempts.  After 24 attempts against the Magic, he has since tried 18, 11, and nine shots, respectively.

The Knicks were minus-five in rebounds and minus-eight in assists.  But despite eleven more field goal attempts by the Pelicans, the Knicks finished 19/33 (57.6%) from three-point range to compensate for their 81 possessions.

Taj Gibson scored 13 points in 21 minutes, and Alec Burks added ten in 13 minutes off the bench.

With their fifth win in six games, the Knicks join a crowded mountain top with the Wizards, Bulls, and Heat.  They have already chalked up victories against Washington and Chicago but have yet to play Miami.

PIGSKIN 2021: Week Eight

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Eight

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

SCOREBOARD

Week Seven Record: 7-5

Overall Record (ATS): 46-44-2

Schmear of the Week: 6-1

Bagels in the Basket: +15

LINK: TOP STORIES FROM THE NFL OWNER'S MEETINGS

WEEK EIGHT

Friday Line ~ NYP/MGM

Bengals -10 1/2 JETS

I was uncomfortable picking against the Bengals last week versus the Ravens.  Lesson learned.  Meanwhile, the Jets are still picking up the pieces after last week's crash landing at New England.  Zach Wilson is out.  Mike White is likely to start over recently acquired Joe Flacco.  To their credit, the Jets held each of their first five opponents under 30 points.  Then came the Patriots.  Bengals should be good for at least 30 points.  I'm so sure the Jets will even score.

Loss; 34-31 Jets

FALCONS -3 Panthers

The Falcons are a coin flip from an Atlanta point of view.  Whereas the Panthers have fallen apart like wet toilet paper.  They're nothing without Christian McCaffrey, who was involved in 60% of Carolina's plays from scrimmage.  Sam, I Am, just isn't ...

Loss; 19-13 Panthers

BILLS -14 Dolphins

Worried about the points?  In week two, the Bills shutout out the Fish 35-0 at Miami.  Tua was hurt in that game.  Now he's back.  So what!  Buffalo has scored no less than 30 points in their last five games and twice broke 40 points.

WIN; 26-11 Bills

BEARS +4 Niners

This is the perfect opponent for the Niners to get on track.  The Bears feature the NFC's worst offense.  Yet, somehow they have three wins.  Something ponderous will happen.  Niners will shoot themselves in the foot.

Loss; 33-22 Niners

Steelers + 3 1/2 BROWNS

Baker Mayfield is still banged up.  After last season's playoff loss to the Browns, Coach Tomlin, Big Ben, and the Steelers really want to win this game.  Their defense is still formidable.

WIN; 15-10 Steelers

LIONS +3 1/2 Eagles

The Lions have a heart, and it's time they win their first game.  Their worst performance came in week two against the Packers.  They've been within a touchdown of their opponents in every game since.

Loss; 44-6 Eagles

Titans -1 1/2 COLTS

No disrespect to the Colts, who are tough, but smashmouth is starting to surge.  Tennessee's loss to the Jets was a complete fluke - any given day.  The Colts have wins over the Dolphins, Texans, and the Niners, who all have losing records.  The Titans defeated the Colts by nine points in week three at Tennessee.

WIN; 34-31 Titans

Rams -14 1/2 TEXANS

Four times the Texans have been held below ten points.  This will be game number five.  Houston has scored a mere eight points over the last two weeks.  The Texans have averaged just ten points per game after opening the season with 37 points against the Jaguars.

WIN; 38-22 Rams

CHARGERS -4 Patriots

If this spread were more expansive, I'd lean the other way.  The Bolt's most recent loss against the Ravens doesn't jive with the way their season is really going.  I respect what the rebuilding Patriots are doing, but they've only defeated the Jets and Texans.

Loss; 27-24 Patriots

SEAHAWKS -3 1/2 Jaguars

Geno Smith versus Trevor Lawrence ... what's a gambling degenerate to do?  At their best, the Jags erupted for a season-high 23 points last week against Miami.  However, Seattle has been held to 20-points or less in each of their previous three games.  The Seahawks should still be better at home.

WIN; 31-7 Seahawks

BRONCOS -3 Washington

The Broncos are a step down from Washington's recent competition.  Denver's three victories have pretty literally come against the worst teams in football since 2017.  But I'm going to trust Teddy Bridgewater against anything WFC can throw at him.  I have no idea what Washington is doing.  Their football team is terrible, too.

WIN; 17-10 Broncos

Buccaneers -4 1/2 SAINTS

I expect a good game.  The Saints being limited to 13 points by the Seahawks might be a warning flag.  Although Tampa is not trustworthy against the spread, they're still a more well-rounded team.

Loss; 36-27 Saints

Cowboys -2 1/2 VIKINGS

I expect a dogfight.  I also envision Ezekiel Elliott running to daylight.  Holding on and winning by a field goal sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

WIN; 20-16 Cowboys

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

CHIEFS -10 Giants

There is no more vulnerable team in football right now than the Chiefs.  But Andy Reid's ability to coach through this cannot go unspoken.  The Chiefs are a talented but desperate team which makes them very dangerous.  Coming off last week's declawing of the Panthers, the Giants are feeling pretty good about themselves as well.  Both teams are gassed up with motivation.  I can actually see both quarterbacks scrambling out of the pocket and completing big plays downfield.  But I can also see Patrick Mahomes completing twice as many.

Loss; 20-17 Chiefs

Schmear of the Week

Bengals -10 1/2

LOSS

Good luck and have a great Football Sunday!

POSTGAME

Week Eight Record: 7-7

Overall Record (ATS): 53-51-2

Schmear of the Week: 6-2

Bagels in the Basket: +12

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Rebounds With Shutout Against Columbus Blue Jackets

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

FRIDAY

Blue Jackets  0

RANGERS    4

FINAL

Chris Kreider Continues Seizing a Lead Role

Igor Shesterkin has now started six of the Rangers' eight games.  On the heels of Monday's blowout at the hands of the Calgary Flames, Shesterkin answers back with his best performance to date against Columbus.

The Rangers killed off three Blue Jacket penalties.  Shesterkin was required to make four special team saves.  Otherwise, he faced 31 total shots and stopped them all for his first shutout this season and the third of his career.

Ranger centermen generated just one point and ten shots on goal.  Ryan Strome opened the scoring at 12:29 of the first period on Artemi Panarin, and Nils Lundqvist feeds.  For the young Lindqvist, his first point this season.  Three minutes later, Alexis Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a feed from Adam Fox.

After a scoreless second period, Chris Kreider laid to rest any Columbus aspirations for a comeback.  While on a power play, Kreider stuck the dagger in Columbus' side when he tipped in Adam Fox's pass from Panarin.  He then gave it a little twist at 11:23 when he again tipped in feeds from Panarin and Fox. 

Kreider is continuing a fine start.  Through eight games, his performance remains consistent and productive.  Against the Blue Jackets, he led all forwards with seven shots on goal.  Kreider is crowding the crease and cashing in with six goals in eight games, including all four Ranger power-play goals.  Friday's game marks Kreider's second multi-point effort, both against the Rangers' last three opponents.

Said another way, Chris Kreider continues playing like he wants that C stitched to his jersey.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Outpaces Indiana at Barclays

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

FRIDAY

Pacers  98

NETS   105

FINAL

Steve Nash Reminds Refs How To Blow Their Whistles

James Harden left little for the naysayers to wrangle over.  In control of his own narrative again, Harden led the floor with 29 points and distributed a game-high eight assists.  

Meanwhile, Steve Nash appeared to clarify matters for the referees as well.  Harden had attempted just 15 total free throws through the season's first five games.  After Coach Nash's powwow with the whistleblowers, Harden scored 16 points on a season-high 19 attempts from the line.

Brooklyn got off to their obligatory poor start as the Pacers jumped out to a 38-26 first-quarter lead.  Afterwhich, Flatbush started dropping shots and clamping down on defense.  Indiana was held to just 17 points in the second quarter and 19 in the third.

Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half, then handed off duties to Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge.  Durant still tied for game-high with eleven rebounds and finished with seven assists in 37 minutes.  

LaMarcus Aldridge was 10/16 from the field en route to 21 points with eight rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench.  It marks the second time in five games this season he has exceeded 20 points.  

With over 15 years in the league, LaMarcus Aldridge became the 48th player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 career points on Friday.

Through six games, Kevin Durant is now averaging 35.3 minutes per game.  But truth be told, after playing 30 minutes in the season's first game against the Bucks, Durant has since averaged 36.4 minutes and also played both games of game-to-back nights against the Hornets and Wizards.  He is yet to sit out for maintenance.

Steve Nash, for the third time, started Blake Griffin together with Bruce Brown.  But Griffin's troublesome start continues.  He scored just three points against the Pacers and secured three rebounds.  He was just 1/7 from the floor and is now a mere 6/24 (25%) through five starts.  He has so far converted just two shot attempts in two different games and just one shot in each of his other three starts.

The Nets next host the Detroit Pistons on Halloween.

N.Y. Knicks: Kemba Walker Leads Effort Against Bulls

From the desk: KICKIN' CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WIT' JIMMY

THURSDAY

Knicks   104

BULLS  103

FINAL

Julius Randle Does Heavy Lifting

Don't look now, but the Knicks are among the conference leaders with a 4-1 record and second behind the Charlotte Hornets with 115.8 points per game.

Offseason acquisition Kemba Walker was front and center at Chicago as the Bockers handed the Bulls their first loss.  Walker led the way with a team-high 21 points, converting 5/6 from beyond the arc in 29 minutes.  At one point during the third quarter, he led the Knicks on an 8-0 run to put them up by nine.

RJ Barrett notched his first 20-point game on 8/15 from the floor and 3/3 from the line.  

With his accuracy out of whack, Julius Randle played workhorse with a game-high 16 rebounds and nine assists.  He attempted only the team's fourth-most shots, finishing just 3/11 for 13 points in a team-high 35 minutes.  

Playing before an appreciative crowd, Derrick Rose led the bench effort with twelve points in 19 minutes.

The Knicks took a 55-51 lead into the half and led 82-73 after three.  But the Bulls charged back with 30 points in the fourth quarter.  DeMar DeRozan missed a last-second attempt from midrange, and the Knicks won by one.

Calgary Flames Sack Towns of Manhattan and Newark

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

UP IN FLAMES

It's as if Calgary was some ancient civilization that amassed an army, marched East, laid siege to the metropolitan area, and burnt it to the ground upon arrival.

After defeating the Capitals at Washington, the Flames arrived in Manhattan on Monday.  What started as a tightly contested affair quickly deteriorated into a rout.  Igor Shesterkin committed the first of his two cardinal sins when Christopher Tanev scored with just 1:10 left in the opening period.  Then, just over two minutes into the second period, Calgary made it a 2-0 game.  The Rangers showed signs of life at 5:25 of the third period when Kevin Rooney converted feeds from Jacob Trouba and newcomer Dryden Hunt.  Afterwhich, it was flame on.  Calgary scored three unanswered goals.  Shesterkin's second cardinal sin came on a penalty kill with just 0:05 left in regulation giving the Flames a 5-1 final margin of victory.

The Flames next invaded Newark on Tuesday.  They scored four unanswered goals within the first 13 minutes of the game.  Starting between the pipes, Nico Daws yielded three goals on Calgary's first seven shots and was promptly pulled.  In relief, Scott Wedgewood surrendered the Flames' fourth goal of the first period and another midway through the third.  The Devils mustered three goals, two by Pavel Zacha and one by Dawson Mercer.

Calgary has 17 goals in their last four games, with the Steel City dead ahead.  Playing minus Jack Hughes, the Devils have until Saturday's game against the Penguins to recover.  The hope here being Calgary treats Pittsburgh similarly.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Can't Take The Heat

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

WEDNESDAY

Heat  106

NETS   93

FINAL

The Plot Thickens

Loss, win, loss, win, loss ...

Coming off last season's hamstring injury and offseason rehab, James Harden admitted after Wednesday's game against Miami that he is still not playing at 100%, partly explaining his early-season performance.  

It's also clear due in part to rule changes involving "natural basketball motions," Harden is not garnering the type of whistles he's accustomed to.  From 2012 through 2020, Harden averaged 10.4 free throw attempts per game.  He is presently averaging just three attempts per game.  Harden opened the season with four attempts against both Milwaukee and Philadelphia.  But has since only attempted one against Charlotte and three shots each against Washington and Miami.  That's just 15 free throw attempts in five games.  For someone who has averaged 8.7 free throw attempts over his career, this presently marks a career-low dating back to his second season with Oklahoma City.

The Nets, for a fifth consecutive game, were outshot by the competition.  All five Brooklyn opponents have exceeded 90 shots per game.  Miami attempted 96 shots giving the opposition an average of 96.2 per game.  Meanwhile, Flatbush is averaging just 87.6 shots for a discrepancy of 8.6 shots per game.

Kevin Durant notched his third double-double with a game-high 25 points and eleven rebounds in 37 minutes.

Only Durant, Harden, and Joe Harris have started all five games, and for the first time this season, Harris finished top three in team scoring.  With 15 points in 35 minutes, he finished second behind Durant.  Joe put up 15 shots, also second to Durant, ending up 5/11 from beyond the arc.  

• Joe Harris surpassed Jason Kidd to become the franchise leader in converted three-pointers.

Blake Griffin has started four of five games.  He started the first two games alongside Nicolas Claxton.  When he was held out in the first game of back-to-back nights, Claxton and Jevon Carter started against Charlotte.  In consecutive starts now, Coach Nash has gone with Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown.  Against Miami, Brown finished with twelve points, five rebounds, and three steals in 35 minutes.

Flatbush starters outscored Heat starters (72-71) by one point.  The benches, however, proved a mismatch.  Miami's Dewayne Dedmon and Tyler Herro joined for 28 points as the Heat bench outscored Brooklyn's by (35-21) 14 points.  Patty Mills was just 1/9 from the field and 0/6 from three-point range.

Miami also obliterated Brooklyn on the boards.  They secured 17 offensive rebounds, which helped pad their 48-34 point advantage in the paint.  The Nets had virtually no second-chance opportunities, securing just four offensive rebounds.  All told, Miami outrebounded the Nets by a ponderous 62-42 margin.  Coach Nash says the Nets were too hasty in getting back on defense.  But that strikes me as dead air; it's hardly an excuse for just four offensive boards.  Miami secured 45 defensive rebounds against 38 for the Nets.

N.Y. Knicks Tighten Up Their Act Against Sixers

From the desk: KICKIN' CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WIT' JIMMY

TUESDAY

Sixers       99

KNICKS  112

FINAL

Knicks Seize Control From Sixers in the Second Quarter and Never Look Back

 

Coach Thibs was not pleased with the second game of the Knicks' back-to-back set with the Orlando Magic.  In turn, the responsive Bockers legitimized their early season start with a convincing victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. 

After falling behind in the first quarter, the Knicks responded with a defensive effort more to Coach's liking, holding the 76ers under 90 total shots and their opponents below the century mark for the second time in four games.

Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 23 points and a game-high nine assists in 33 minutes.  He was 10/18 from the field but only 2/6 from beyond the arc.  Danny Green was 4/8 from three for 12 points.  But that's the extent of the Sixer's highlights.  The Knicks contested everything and limited the rest of Philly's participants to 6/27 (22.2%) from behind the arc.  

Joel Embiid had to labor with a bum knee for every one of his 14 points.  The Knicks held him to 2/7 from the field and otherwise forced him to earn his points at the line, where he converted 10/11 attempts.  No other Sixer had more than two free throw attempts.

The Knicks were plus-five in rebounds and broke even in assists.  Free throws were near equal, and points in the paint were a draw.  Although the Knicks were outscored 19-7 off turnovers, they still had five more possessions than Philly, and they made them count.

Propelled by a 39-16 second-quarter effort, the Knicks took a 20-point lead into the half.

Kemba Walker led the Knicks' three-point assault, shooting 7/15 from the field and 5/11 from three for a team-high 19 points.  Evan Fournier finished with 18 points, including 4/6 from three.  All told, the Knicks were 16/37 (43.2%) from the three range.  They outscored the Sixers by twelve from beyond the arc, and therein effectively lies the Knicks' 13-point margin of victory.

Julius Randle registered a quiet double-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and a team-high seven assists in 36 minutes.  Derrick Rose led the bench effort with 13 points in 20 minutes.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Earns First Home Victory

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

MONDAY

Wizards  90

NETS    104

FINAL

No Wizardry In Victory Over Washington

Flatbush evened their record at home with a victory over the Washington Wizards.  

Unlike their previous games, the Nets got off to a hot start, outscoring the Wizards 38-20 in the first quarter.  But while the outcome was never in doubt, this game did more to cover up some underlying defects than bolster my perception and expectations.

After the first quarter, the rest of the game is a matter of interpretation.  Brooklyn was outscored 70-66 over the final three quarters en route to a 14-point margin of victory.

Washington became Brooklyn's fourth straight opponent to exceed 90 shots, whereas Monday's game marked only the first time the Nets eclipsed 90+ shot attempts in a game.  However, their aiming registered a season-low 42.6% from the field.  In fact, the Nets are shooting just 44.2% through their first four games.

Once again, Kevin Durant led the floor with 25 points in a game-high 35 minutes after scoring 38 points in 36 minutes on Sunday.  His minutes in the upcoming game against Miami will be a curious matter.

James Harden is still clearly out of sorts.  He was 5/17 (29.4%) from the field and a mere 1/7 from beyond the arc, with only three free throw attempts.  However, he led the floor with nine assists while old friend Spencer Dinwiddie led the Wizards with six.

The next tier of starting players remains the team's unknown variable.  

Bruce Brown hardly played in the first two games of the season, but we knew he would not sit long.  After just four minutes against Milwaukee and sitting out at Philly, Brown played 27 minutes off the bench against Charlotte, then started Monday against Washington, finishing with 14 points in 30 minutes.

This was Coach Nash's third different lineup in four games.  Kept out of Sunday's game, Blake Griffin was a cold 1/7 from the field but secured a team-high nine rebounds in 19 minutes.  Joe Harris finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.  However, he was 3/11 from beyond the arc and 3/12 (25%) overall - 19.2% below the team's present field goal percentage.

Patty Mills led the bench effort with 21 points in 23 minutes.  It's his second 20+ point effort and his third game in double-digit scoring.  

After starting three straight games, Nicolas Claxton contributed six points and eight rebounds with a team-high +21 in 16 minutes off the bench.

N.Y. Jets: Grounded in New England

From the desk: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

WEEK SEVEN

Jets              13

PATRIOTS   54

FINAL

Gridiron Grasshopper vs. Sensei

The Jets are the youngest team in the NFL.  If you're a rebuilding team, football is about improvement. 

Positional competition fosters team competency.  Weekly opponents are your measure of progress, and so forth.

TWO GAMES:

• JETS - rookie head coach Robert Saleh, rookie staff, a rookie quarterback, and a young team. 
• PATRIOTS - grizzled old NFL senior citizen Bill Belichick and his accomplished staff, and his rookie quarterback and his young rebuilding team.

With their mission statement in hand, the Jets effectively doubled their offensive output against the Patriots.  The Jets were limited to six points in week two.  On Sunday, they scored 13 points.  So, there's that.

Defensively, the Jets in week two allotted the Patriots 25 points.  This time, coming off a bye week, they allowed the Patriots 54 points.

This game was somewhat more calamitous than the first because the Jets lost their rookie quarterback to a knee injury for a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, New England's rookie quarterback was 24/36 for 307 yards and two touchdown passes.

New England's backfield rushed 23 times for 127 yards and four touchdowns.  Three different Patriots caught touchdown passes.  The Jets had three turnovers with none by the Pats.

On Sunday, New England amassed 551 yards on offense.  It's taken the Jets two games against the Patriots to amass 559 yards.

After two meetings against the (no Tom Brady) New England Patriots, the question now begs to be asked: what the hell are the Jets doing?

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Fails to Protect Their House

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

OPENING DAY

SUNDAY

Hornets   111

NETS        95

FINAL

After Three Games, We Can Speak of Trends

The tenth opening day in Brooklyn Nets history will be a difficult one to forget.  

After splitting games at Milwaukee and Philadelphia, Flatbush fans were left stung by a listless fourth-quarter effort en route to a ponderous loss against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center.  It's a game poised to remain swollen in our memory all season long.

After a recurring slow start, the Nets took a 58-50 lead into halftime.  The meltdown ensued post haste.  Charlotte outscored the Nets 29-20 in the third to seize a one-point lead, then in the fourth quarter, blew them out by a 32-17 margin.  All told, Brooklyn was outscored 61-37 in the second half, a margin of 24 points.  Thus, there were issues on both sides of the court and everywhere in between.

Kevin Durant led the floor with 38 points in a game-high 36 minutes, being asked to do everything.  James Harden was the only other Net in double-digits with 15 points and a game-high eight assists.  However, Harden likewise turned the ball over eight times.

Otherwise, Flatbush Avenue reeked of lethargy.  They totaled just 12 shots from the free-throw line, four by Nicolas Claxton.  The Hornets had eight more assists, four more rebounds, four more blocks, seven more fastbreak points, and most glaring, 14 more points in the paint.

Wait ...

Charlotte marks Brooklyn's third straight opponent to lead the game in total shots.  The Nets have so far been outshot by a 290-259 overall margin.  All three opponents have exceeded 90-plus attempts.  Whereas the Nets have been limited to 86.3 shots per game, Kevin Durant averages 26.6% of those.

Speaking of which, six Brooklyn players took more shots than Joe Harris, who finished with seven points in 28 minutes.

Brooklyn's bench got outscored by a 39-27 margin.  Patty Mills was ice cold, shooting 2/10 from the field and 1/6 from three in 32 minutes.  LaMarcus Aldridge led the bench with nine points in 22 minutes, and Bruce Brown added eight points in 27 minutes.

This was Coach Nash's first lineup change in three games.  Jevon Carter started replacing Blake Griffin with back-to-back games, who is due to start Monday against Washington.  Carter was 1/7 from the field for three points in 26 minutes.   

When Blake Griffin returns on Monday, I'm curious to see if, after three straight games, Nicolas Claxton continues in a starting role.

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Gets in Some Early Trick or Treating

From the desk:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK SEVEN

Panthers     3

GIANTS     25

FINAL

Sometimes You Just Have To Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

Was Week Five's bell-ringer at Dallas not an indication that this type of football is unsustainable?

Daniel Jones attempted 33 passes, ran the ball eight times, and caught one pass for 16 yards.  That's a full day's work.  But it's utter folly on behalf of the coaching staff who continue putting Jones in harm's way.

Of course, desperation sets in when you start the season with a 1-5 record.  A large part of the problem is the ten other offensive inefficiencies playing alongside Jones.  Injuries have indeed taken their toll.  I understand there needs to be a certain level of improvisation that must take place and that Daniel's activity just may have limited him to being sacked only twice and with five other QB hits.  

The problem is, Jason Garrett called a season-high 23 (non-QB) rushes, which is still not nearly enough.  What's the sense if Daniel Jones accounted for 25% of all run plays on Sunday, and on a trick play, they put him into position to absorb yet another open field tackle?

Seven of the Giants' 21 first downs against Carolina came via the run.  Devontae Booker is averaging 3.2 yards per rush this season behind an inferior offensive line.  He ran 14 times for 51 yards (3.6 AVG) against Carolina.

Why not run more?

Non-quarterback runs only account for 32.1% of all rushing plays from scrimmage.  Based on 127 non-quarterback rushes for 422 total yards (3.2 AVG), the Giants this season have averaged just 18 rushes for 60.2 yards per game.  Meanwhile, Daniel Jones is averaging 38 pass attempts (Dallas game not included) and six scrambles per game, accounting for 67.9% of all plays from scrimmage.

Receptions out of the backfield are equally impotent.  They account for only 15% of pass catches for 204 total yards or just 29.1 yards per game.  It's embarrassing when the backfield cannot average 100 yards per game via receptions and passing combined.  But truth be told, they can do more if Jason Garrett wills it.

Before going down that rabbit hole, I first demand that rookie offensive line coach Rob Sale do a better job.  Lest we forget, the Giants started last season with Marc Colombo, who was fired midseason by Joe Judge when the two experienced a significant disagreement in which it's been said they nearly came to blows.  Colombo was replaced with widely traveled former Giant assistant line coach (2004-2008) Dave DeGuglielmo.  In February, the Giants signed University of Louisiana-Lafayette offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Rob Sale.

To Sale's credit, Andrew Thomas is greatly improved, but injuries are proving ruinous.  Even then, the present times necessitate more be done to improve their collective performance.  This is about teaching and adapting and being creative on the fly.

And unless they want Mike Glennon taking snaps the rest of the season, I advise Giant coaches at the very least to teach Daniel Jones how to properly slide.

N.Y. Rangers: Late Comeback At Ottawa Marks Fourth Consecutive Win

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY
Rangers    3

Senators   2

FINAL

Chris Kreider Striving To Earn The Elusive "C"

Despite allowing a quick goal, Alexandar Georgiev saved all the Rangers posteriors with a hell of a performance in the first period.  Making his first start since that troublesome season opener at Washington, Georgiev yielded a goal just 0:41 seconds into the game.  But it started with an offensive zone turnover and resulted in an odd-man rush heading his way.

After a scoreless second period, Alexandar Georgiev committed his second cardinal sin of the game, yielding a goal 1:04 into the third period on yet another offensive zone turnover, this time converted unassisted by Josh Norris.

With six minutes left in regulation, Coach Gallant had a few things to say, and the Rangers suddenly decided to play hockey.  

Parker Kelly got whistled for hooking K'Andre Miller at the 13:48 mark.  One minute later, Chris Kreider was precisely where he should have been and converted feeds from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zebanijad.  But the play was created initially by brilliant skating and possession from Adam Fox.  Senator goalie Matt Murray was also injured (head) on the play and left the game, although Kreider did make a discernable effort to avoid contact.

The Rangers took full advantage of a cold Anton Forsberg playing in relief of Murray.  Just over one minute later, Ryan Lindgren tips in a feed from Kreider and fine secondary assist by Fox, tying the game at two.  A little over two minutes later, Jacob Trouba secures the puck near the blue line, spins, and fires a shot towards the net.  Barclay Goodrow is there to tip it home for an abrupt comeback and 3-2 victory over the Sens.

Alexandar Georgiev earns his first win, stopping 26 of 28 total shots and keeping the Rangers in the game more importantly.  

In Georgiev's first start, the Caps went 3 for 6 on the power play.  Afterwhich, the Rangers held Dallas to one goal in two penalty kills.  They've since held their last four opponents scoreless in 13 power-play chances and are now 4/21 (19%) on the PK overall.

Adam Fox is so good ... but kudos to Chris Kreider for stepping up.  The now 30-year old Kreider put the Rangers on the board then helped them tie the game at two.  

Kreider is notorious for being a streaky scorer.  After netting goals in the season's first three games, he went scoreless against Toronto and Nashville, two games won by the Rangers.  Saturday, Chris returned front and center at a most opportune time.  But this is about context, and thanks to a fast start, he is indeed up to four goals, but one should consider he has two goals in his last four games.  Saturday's goal is early evidence of much-needed staying power - a punctuation mark if you will.  This is the kind of player Kreider needs to be, limiting those extended scoreless streaks to just a few games at a time.

That's what people who wanna wear the C do. 

N.Y. Jets Arrive in New England for Rookie QB Rematch

From the desk: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Jets Must Start Tightening Their Security Measures

The Jets are coming off a bye week, and boy, did they need it.  Zach Wilson was being punished.

He so far has been sacked 18 times through five games (3.2 times per game), not to mention 32 other QB hits.  

Carolina in week one sacked Wilson six times and registered ten other hits, and that was with Jet offensive lineman Mekhi Becton still in the game for 48 snaps.  Becton has been out since.

In week two, their first meeting against the Pats, Wilson was sacked four times and hit seven other times while also being inducted into four interceptions.  The following week, Denver sacked Wilson five times and hit him nine other times.

Tennessee is the aberration.  They managed just one sack and one other QB hit, and of course, lost that game - Gang Green's lone win.  It's no coincidence that the game marks Zach's best performance to date - a season-high 297 yards and two touchdowns.

Lastly, the Falcons two weeks ago sacked Wilson twice and hit him five other times.  Meanwhile, Wilson threw his ninth INT this season.

I do not see the Jet's second encounter against the Pats playing out differently from the first.  Now that Belichick has game film from their first head-to-head matchup, there's no way the Jets even get off the ground.  Bill Belichick tries taking away what teams do best.  Thus, he will seal the edges and prevent Wilson from throwing downfield miracle passes on the run - especially to Elijah Moore.  With no viable run game to speak of, Wilson will be forced to stay in the pocket and throw right into Belichick's traps.   

After all, this is still a matchup between the grasshopper, i.e., Robert Salah, going up against Sensei.

If C.J. Mosely tries playing with a barking hamstring, Belichick will tell Mac Jones to attack him too.  Jones threw for 186 yards with no mistakes in his meeting against the Jets.  Zach Wilson made four.

N.Y. Islanders: Long Winding Road Trip Off To Bumpy Start

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Islanders Set Sail in Stormy Seas

Having to open the season with 13 consecutive road games is a gargantuan task.  

No one denies that.  

But the first four games provide a curious little narrative nonetheless.

Ilya Sorokin started all four games.  He has so far faced 141 total shots and yielded 14 (.901%) goals.  In the opening game against Carolina, he allowed six goals and five in game two against Florida.  Afterwhich, Sorokin allowed just three regulation goals over the next two games and one goal in overtime against Columbus.  So, chalk that up to a bad start ...

... by Long Island's forwards!  All those goals are not wholly on Sorokin.  Oliver Wahlstrom leads the team with three goals after four games, which means something else isn't clicking.  The Isles needed to work too hard to defeat Chicago, thanks to a pair of Wahlstrom goals.

Although scratched against the Blackhawks, Anders Lee is back after being limited to just 27 games last season.  Kyle Palmieri and Zach Parise return for a full season, and entering his 20th NHL season, Zdeno Chara dons an Islander jersey.  

Otherwise, a turnaround is expected sooner than later.

On Saturday, the Islanders arrive in Arizona to face off against the 0-3-1 Coyotes, who have scored just eight goals through four games.  The Islanders have netted ten over the same span.  

So, therein lies their challenge: winning convincingly over a lesser opponent.

PIGSKIN 2021: Week Seven

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Seven

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

SCOREBOARD

Week Six Record: 7-5

Overall Record (ATS): 39-39-2

Schmear of the Week: 5-1

Bagels in the Basket: +10

1st and Ten

• Arizona is still undefeated.

2nd and Long

• Fully vaccinated Cam Newton is still yet to sign with a team.

No Gain

• Detroit Lions are still winless at 0-5.

PUNT!

• This NFL email conspiracy with the WFC needs to be blown wide open.  Other miscreants were reading and responding to those emails.  Oh, wait, Congress is now stepping in!

WEEK SEVEN

Friday Line ~ MGM/NYP

Panthers -3 GIANTS

I get the Panthers are losers of three in a row.  They're at the edge of the cliff, looking down.  But the Giants are already down there, looking up.  Big Blue still has more problems than a math book.  Without Andrew Thomas protecting his blind side, Daniel Jones's game goes downhill.  They enter week seven with too many injuries to the offensive line, their receivers, and Saquon Barkley.  No one is stepping up on defense; they're generating zero pressure.  If the Giants win, it'll be because Sam Darnold threw three picks.

Loss; 25-3 Giants

PATRIOTS -7 Jets

Of course, Zack Wilson had a bad first game against the Patriots.  New England defeated the Jets by 19 points in their first meeting.  Now that Belichick has game film from their first head-to-head matchup, there's no way the Jets get off the ground.

WIN; 54-13 Patriots

RAVENS -6 1/2 Bengals

Don't look now, but the Bengals have yielded the second-fewest points in the AFC.  But can they slow down Baltimore's run game?  I like the Bengals to make this a great match through the first three quarters.  But I don't think they're ready to get down and dirty in trenches.  By the fourth, the Ravens' ground game will start running away.

Loss; 41-17 Bengals

PACKERS -8 Washington

Washington played their best games to date against the Giants and Falcons, in which they won each time by one and four points, respectively.  Washington has also yielded 30-plus points in their last four games.  Aaron Rogers will give Washington a new team name by the time this one is through.

WIN; 24-10 Packers

TITANS +5 1/2 Chiefs

The Titans are coming on.  Smashmouth sometimes needs time to gain momentum.  They're coming off a massive win against Buffalo.  Despite holding the ball for only 27-minutes, they still rushed for 146 yards and 362 yards overall against the AFC's top defense.  The Chiefs are among the league leaders in points allowed.  Pat Mahomes continues performing magic outside the pocket.  This week, ball control wins the day.

WIN; 27-3 Titans

Falcons -2 1/5 DOLPHINS

Tua gives the Fish a fighting chance, but the veteran Matt Ryan still packs a bigger punch.  After their one-point win in Week One over the Pats, the Dolphins have essentially been blown out every week since.

Loss; 30-28 Falcons

RAMS -16 1/2 Lions

A fascinating game featuring Jared Goff versus Matthew Stafford ... not.  This will be a no-contest.  Who understands Joff's inefficiencies better than the Rams?  The Lions will remain winless after facing the Paper Tiger.

Loss; 28-19 Rams

RAIDERS -3 Eagles

Laying the obligatory three points at home is another way of saying the bookmakers have no idea.  The Eagles are unsolvable.

WIN; 33-22 Raiders

BUCCANEERS -12 1/2 Bears

Yeah, the Bucs have injuries, but the Bears are still a 50/50 venture.  Their defense is legit, but you just never know who, how, when, and if they'll score points.  They're averaging 16 points per game.

WIN; 38-3 Bucs

CARDINALS -17 Texans

Bad luck looms around every corner.  However, in the NFL, the better team usually always wins.  This is a no contest.  The Cardinals are 5-1-0 against the spread.  J.J. Watt will also have something to say.

WIN; 31-5 Cardinals

Colts +4 49ERS

The Colts played tight games against the Rams and Ravens and came up short.  They desperately needed a win last week and blew out the Texans.  They're getting it together.  Carson Wentz plays behind a good offensive line, and despite their record, the Colt defense is solid.  Something is wrong with the Niners.  I can't put my finger on it ... maybe they haven't adjusted to the loss of Robert Salah.  Can't plant your flag with victories over the Lions and Eagles.

WIN; 30-18 Colts

Schmear of the Week (5-1)

Packers -8

WIN

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday!

POSTGAME

Week Seven Record: 7-5

Overall Record (ATS): 46-44-2

Schmear of the Week: 6-1

Bagels in the Basket: +15

Brooklyn Nets: Resilient Effort at Philadelphia Results in Season's First Win

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

FRIDAY
NETS      114

SIXERS  109

FINAL

Nets Give Flatbush Fans Attitude Adjustment With Win Over Sixers

Two games, same lineup, same slow and sloppy start.

At halftime, I took a look at Twitter and saw everyone clamoring for Bruce Brown, myself included.  He did not play - coach's decision.

But then, in the second half, the Nets started playing defense.  Through the second half of last season, the Nets fell into a habit of falling behind early, coming back before the half, and taking leads in the third.  These first two games got off to somewhat similar starts, but unlike against Milwaukee, this contest favored the Nets.

Coach Nash is still doing what in pre-season he could not: better understand what he's working with.  We know Bruce Brown will not sit for much longer.  For now, Brown is seen as a known variable, other players not so much, and that's what Coach Nash is trying to figure out.  Meanwhile, after trailing most of the night, this lineup on this night showed their coach some resiliency.

Joe Harris needs to hit more three-pointers like the one he nailed at 7:50 of the fourth.  However, poor transition defense resulted in a ten-point deficit with 5:32 left.  After Patty Mills cut the Nets deficit down to two points, Brooklyn turned the ball over on a 24-second violation.  Durant later drew a charge, and Harden scored on the ensuing inbounds play again, tying the game at two.

An 11-0 run and LaMarcus Aldridge scoring 13 of his 23 points in the fourth propelled Brooklyn late in the fourth.  They seized a 111-109 with 15.2 seconds left.  With Durant, Harden, Aldridge, Harris, Patty Mills on the floor, Durant was fouled on an inbound and converted both free throws giving the Nets a four-point lead.  The Nets, who took their first lead in the fourth, finished on a 16-1 run to end the game.  Philadelphia, who led by seven at halftime, was outscored 29-18 in the final session.

Either James Harden is not getting whistles, or he might be working with Coach Nash to figure out this new cast.  He finished with 20 points and eight assists.  Against the Bucks, Harden had just four attempts from the line and the same against the Sixers.  For now, that's an acute deviation from his usual game.

But the Nets turned things around when KD became the facilitator.  Kevin Durant posted a triple-double with 29 points, 12 assists, and 15 rebounds, all game highs, in 37 minutes, and cycling back to my point about Harden, KD was 10/10 from the line.

Joe Harris represented himself well with 14 essential points and five rebounds in 33 minutes.

Too much cannot be said of LaMarcus Aldridge, who matched both Philly starters Tobias Harris and Seth Curry with 23 points in 23 minutes off the bench.  He was 10/12 from the field and a perfect 3/3 from the line.  Patty Mills was again a sparkplug off the bench with eleven points and a +31 in 30 minutes.  All told, Brooklyn's bench outscored Philly's by a 44-23 margin.

Unlike game one's shot disparity, Philly only outshot Brooklyn by a 91-88 margin.

Blake Griffin is still trying to find his way, going 1 for 6 from the field and scoreless in five attempts at three.

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Offering No Quarter

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

THURSDAY

RANGERS      3

PREDATORS  1

FINAL

Igor Shesterkin and Penalty Kill Lift Rangers To Third Consecutive Win

Alexandar Georgiev has not seen ice since his opening night defeat against the Washington Capitals.  He faced 27 shots that night and let five get through - three on the penalty kill, one shorthanded, and one at even strength.  Some were arguably soft, others not so much.

Making his first start against Dallas, Igor Shesterkin committed the cardinal sin when he allowed that first-period goal with 0:35 left on the clock.  That raised an eyebrow.   He then allowed a power-play goal in the second.  But it's worth noting all the Ranger skaters allowed four goals on eight power-play opportunities afforded to the Caps and Stars.  Otherwise, the Rangers, of course, lost to Dallas just 1:38 into overtime.

The penalty kill has since tightened up.  Montreal, Toronto, and the Preds finished their games against the Rangers 0/3 on the power play.

Over his last three starts, Igor Shesterkin has allowed just one goal by each of the previously mentioned opponents.  Said another way, he has faced 101 shots on goal over the last three games and stopped all but three.  His 41-save performance against the Maple Leafs was quite commendable.  Artemi Panarin doesn't score the game-winner in overtime without him.

Against Nashville, the power play went 0 for 4, but the Rangers were able to play with a lead.  Filip Chytl scored just 2:12 into the first period on feeds by Alexis Lafreniere and Sammy Blais.

Nashville's Phillip Tomasino evened things up at 7:01 of the second period.

But the Rangers retake the lead midway through the third on Alexis Lafreniere's second goal this season with assists from Adam Fox (his third) and Sammy Blais, his second of the game.  Afterwhich, Barclay Goodrow's goal with 0:06 seconds left in regulation closes out the scoring. 

For Filip Chytil, his first goal of the season.  Before losing him last season to injury, Chytil had eight goals and 14 assists in 42 games.  I'm hoping like hell he plays himself into being this team's top-line center or having him together on a line with Kakkoo Kappo and Alexis Lafreniere.

N.Y. Knicks: Charged Up Garden Revels in Opening Night O.T. Victory Over Celtics

From the desk: KICKIN' ROCKS DOWN 33RD STREET WIT' JIMMY

WEDNESDAY

CELTICS   134

KNICKS    138

FINAL/OT

Knicks Hustle "Four" Love of the Game

The new-look Knicks won their home opener before an uproarious Wednesday night crowd at Madison Square Garden.  This wasn't the Larry Bird Celtics, but the intensity in the building was no less palpable.

Boston's Jaylen Brown dropped a game-high 46 points, and Jayson Tatum scored another 20 points.  However, Julius Randle poured in a team-high 36 points, and newcomer Evan Fournier finished with 32 points, edge Knicks.

After being limited to 31 games last season, Mitchell Robinson tipped the scales with eleven points and a game-high 17 rebounds.  R.J. Barrett was third in with 19 points, and rounding out the starting lineup, fellow newcomer Kemba Walker scored ten points with three assists and eight rebounds in 36 minutes.

Coach Thibodeau's bench outscored Boston's by a 31-22 margin, with Obi Toppin leading the charge with 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.

The Knicks trailed by four at the half, then seized an 86-82 lead after three.  But Boston wiped that out with 34 points in the fourth quarter.  The Bockers then edged out the Celtics 22-18 in overtime to complete an ongoing 138-134 four-point shuffle.

N.J. Devils: Newark Spoils Seattle Kraken First Visit to Metropolis

From the desk: THE BRICK CITY STYX

TUESDAY

KRAKEN   2

DEVILS     4

FINAL

On Tuesday, the Seattle Kraken made their first-ever visit to the metropolitan area, but it did not go well.

Rookie Dawson Mercer scored five minutes into the game. A little over a minute and a half later, defenseman Damon Severson gave Newark a 2-0 lead on feeds from Jack Hughes and Ryan Graves' second assist of the period.

Seattle scored midway through the second period, but that was answered at 14:48 when Jimmy Vesey beat (G) Joey Daccord on feeds from Andreas Johnsson and Colton White.

The Kraken scored a power-play goal at 14:41 of the third period, but Pavel Zacha put the game out of reach with 0:20 left in regulation.

Newark's centermen joined together on five points and accounted for 18 (54%) of their 33 shots.  Devil defensemen accounted for four points.

Newcomer Jonathan Bernier earns his second win in as many starts.  Signed as a free agent, Bernier goalie stops 27 of 29 shots, and the Devils blocked 17 other attempts and escaped with 4 of 5 penalty kills.

The Devils open the season 2-0-0 at home, their first victory coming against the Blackhawks with four goals scored in each game.