Chauncey Billups questionable for Wednesday’s game against Memphis Grizzlies - NBA Update
New York Knicks might continue to miss the charisma of their newly acquired point guard Chauncey Billups in a meeting against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The veteran point guard, who came to the Madison Square Garden with Carmelo Anthony in
a block-buster 13-man deal, sat out of practice on Tuesday and is listed as doubtful to join the line-up.
Billups has been a linchpin for the team since his appearance as a Knick, averaging 23 points and six assists in four games. He is the main reason for the marked defensive improvement of the Knicks.
Suffering from a bruised left thigh, Billups decided to restrain from practice and receive treatment. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said after practice, "It could be another day or so but we're still hoping that [Wednesday] he wakes up feeling pretty good.”
The 34-year-old veteran guard bruised his left thigh last Tuesday, when he accidently bumped into the mighty frame of Orlando Magic’s burly Dwight Howard. He has missed the past four games since then and his struggle seems to persist.
The Knicks were anticipating his come-back for Monday’s 131-109 home victory over the Utah Jazz, but Billups was ruled out due to soreness in his thigh.
Toney Douglas was given the charge in place of Billups. He did not disappoint, as he scripted a significant impact and clinched 20 points in that game, including five blistering shots from the long range, as the Knicks knocked down the Jazz.
D'Antoni said, "You don't ever want to lose your point guard ... but at the same time, Toney's had two great games so his confidence and ability to run the team when Chauncey won't be in there I think has gone up."
Billups is not the only player to be ruled out as a result of an injury, as the big man, Ronny Turiaf was benched due to a sore left knee in Monday’s victory as well and replaced by Jared Jeffries. Bill Walker was also side-lined with a sore left knee in
the previous game for his second straight.
However despite the injury ridden roster, the Knicks are winning and seem to have momentum on their side. In addition to that, Walker and Turiaf both were seen practicing on Tuesday, as the coach is optimistic with their come-back, but less confident about
Billups.
The Knicks are standing at the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference with 33 wins and 29 defeats. The team is on the list to make it to the play-offs, but they need to over-come their injury problems and prepare their best guns to provide fireworks in the
upcoming showdown.
The team has turned into a bigger threat since the two offensive powers Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire paired up in the team with the star power guard Billups. The Knicks have the strength to dominate at any point of the game and are now one of the
toughest contenders for the National Basketball Association title this season.
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