The Newest York Knicks are the NBA's hottest team, with 11 right wins behind superstar Carmelo Anthony, who suddenly can not miss. The Oklahoma City Thunder look like the top team in the Western Conference and only the Miami Heat have a better record in the league. On Sunday, both of these leaders can face off in what promises to be a great match. There are lots of stimulating storylines in this sport. Two legitimate competitors for the NBA Finals meeting in a late-season game. Kevin Durant and Anthony doing battle for the title. Skilled sidekicks like J.R. Johnson and Russell Westbrook going toe-to-toe. You may not wish to miss this game. Let's breakdown this stimulating matchup. When: Sunday, April 7 at 1 p.m. ET Where:AChesapeake Industry, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Watch: ABC Stream: NBA League Go Knicks Injuries (via ESPN) Kenyon Martin, Leg, Day-To-Day Marcus Camby, Foot, Day-To-Day Rasheed Wallace, Base, Out Thunder InjuriesA( viaAESPN) None to statement What They're Saying John O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports Phil Jackson mentioned on Friday that the red-hot Knicks had to be able to "challenge" for an NBA title. "I think they've come a considerable ways in the last two and half days. a They're starting to produce a run," Jackson said. "I think they're going to challenge. There is a hope in this city that maybe they are able to shock many people [and] win this year." Jackson, who used his 1995-96 championship ring he won as instructor of the Chicago Bulls, was at Madison Square Garden on Friday night to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1972-73 subject team. Knicks Person to Watch: Carmelo Anthony Melo has been on fire recently, scoring at the very least 40 factors in three straight games. Previously three contests, Anthony has increased his scoring average to 28.3 points per game, only following NBA head Kevin Durant (28.4 PPG). While Anthony's torrid score talent isn't sustainablea'and the Knicks aren't likely to be winning any titles if they need to rely on that kind of production from the superstara'it certainly has been exciting to look at and absolutely will be the tipping point in this contest. The fight between Anthony and Durant ought to be interesting if nothing else. Thunder Person to Watch: Russell Westbrook Streeter Lecka/Getty Photographs Westbrook is having still another good year, calculating 23.2 points and 7.6 assists per game. When he is striking his pictures at a top proportion, perhaps not driving his own crime and finding open actively seeks his teammates, the Thunder are really difficult to defeat. Westbrook makes this game unstoppable, with three straight games of at least 20 points, seven boards and seven assistsa'including a triple-double last Saturday contrary to the Milwaukee Bucks. Durant could be the Thunder's best person, but Westbrook is likely to be their most important on Sunday. Key Matchup: Fight in the Color Elsa/Getty Photographs Which team has the capacity to win the rebounding battle and make second odds offensively will likely be the big difference in this competition. With the Knicks somewhat beat up on the block, Tyson Chandler will have to move up in a huge way against Thunder bigs Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison. In a game between two teams that not quite struggle to rating, turnovers, defensive stops and the rebound battle is going to be essential. If Chandler features a large game, the Knicks may pull off the gain and enter OKC. But if the block is controlled by the Thunder, look for the home team to take earn the T. Forecast The Knicks come right into this game warm, having won 11 immediately. But the Thunder have won six of seven and, quite frankly, are only the greater group. If this game was being performed at Madison Square Garden, I do believe the Knicks could have a shot at maintaining the streak alive. However in Oklahoma City, the Thunder can get the gain, 106-97.
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