--It's probably coincidence, but the Knicks are just 3-13 on the first night of back-to-back sets this season after Monday's loss in Utah. In the second game, they are 5-10 heading into Denver, where the Nuggets will be rested for Tuesday's game.
--It's probably too soon to say Renaldo Balkman is a good player who got away. He did not fit into future plans and was dealt by the Knicks before the season. Balkman is averaging 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds off the bench for Denver, which is host to the Knicks on Tuesday. He got nine points and eight rebounds in the teams' first meeting. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I thought he was always playing catch-up. And then at inopportune times he was either sick or his knee was bothering him and he could never get over the hump. That's tough on any player." -- Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni on the saga of Eddy Curry.
