Knicks vs. Pelicans Preview: How, Who to Watch as Knicks Seek Post-Break Momentum

Fresh off a narrow victory, the New York Knicks will look to start a streak against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Playing without some of their major contributors has been anything but a Big Easy for the New York Knicks. 

Fresh off a highly-scrutinized victory over the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks are immediately back in action on Tuesday for an interconference tilt against the New Orleans Pelicans. It marks the Knicks' first back-to-back since Jan. 29-30 and they've posted a 5-5 in the second halves of such sets so far this season (winning their last three).

New York held off a feisty challenge from the Detroit Pistons in part one, taking a 113-111 decision thanks to a game-winning double from Josh Hart with just over two seconds remaining. Some would claim that the Knicks had assistance from officiating but the hosts nonetheless enjoyed a season-best scoring showing from Hart (23 points) as well as another triple-decalogue from Jalen Brunson, who had a 35-point, 12-assist double-double.

Like the Knicks, the Pelicans are fighting for the right to host an opening-round playoff series, currently holding the sixth and final automatic postseason spot on the Western Conference bracket (four games behind the fourth-place Los Angeles Clippers). New Orleans has lost two in a row since winning its opener back from the All-Star break against Houston, which included a 114-106 loss to Chicago on Sunday. It was the later part of a back-to-back struggle that saw them engage in a fourth-quarter fracas with the Miami Heat, one that will cost them reserve Jose Alvarado's participation. 

The Knicks and Pelicans haven't met since October, which saw the latter prevail by a 96-87 final at Smoothie King Center. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson united for 50 points in what was New Orleans' 2023-24 home opener. The Pelicans will go for their first sweep of the annual couple against the Knicks for the first time since the 2016-17 season. 

What: New Orleans Pelicans (34-24) @ New York Knicks (35-23)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: NOP -4.5

Keep An Eye On: Josh Hart 

While Jalen Brunson will get the lion's share of the credit, the former Pelican has been integral to whatever success the Knicks have had with Anunoby and Randle out. Hopefully, Hart rested up during the All-Star break because the Knicks have had him play at least 41 minutes in each of the first three games back. To his credit, Hart has handled the expanded workload with gusto, averaging 19 points and 9.3 rebounds in this past trio.

Pelican to Watch: Jonas Valanciunas

Valanciunas has kept equally busy in the points as the post-break slate begins, hauling in 41 rebounds in his own first trio. Though they couldn't send the partisan Pelican home crowd annoyed, they did manage to silence Valanciunas in the first go-around to the tune of eight points and four rebounds ... along with a quartet of fouls and turnovers. With Isaiah Hartenstein still working his way back, it'll take a team effort to contain Valanciunas ... as well as the hearty efforts of the would-be Knick Williamson as well.

They Said It

"You can feel the games being meaningful, you can feel every game ... it's high stakes. "It's a fun time of year, and you want to put yourself in a position to be able to play in the postseason, and for us, it's about taking care of business."-Pelicans head coach Willie Green on the team's playoff chase (h/t WWL)

Knicks Moving On After Controversy, Win Over Pistons

Prediction

The Knicks were lucky enough to escape from New York with a win over the woebegone Pistons. They're more than capable of hanging with a similarly skilled team like the Pelicans but it feels like they'll have to do a little bit of soul-searching after Monday's controversy. A 24-hour turnaround will simply prove to be too cruel for the Knicks. 

Pelicans 111, Knicks 107