The Knicks have listed Tyson Chandler (neck) as questionable for tomorrow’s game in Boston.
The Knicks (42-26) have gotten along nicely these past four games — thanks to Kenyon Martin’s play — but they’ll happily welcome back All-Star center Tyson Chandler to the mix for tomorrow’s matchup against the Boston Celtics (36-33).
Chandler, who is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game, has missed a week’s worth of games, first due to an ailing knee and then later to a bulging disk in his neck. And while the 6-foot-9 power forward Martin has subbed in nicely, the Knicks could certainly use the 7-foot-1 Chandler to patrol the middle in a game against their Atlantic Division rival in a hostile environment.
New York is on a four-game winning streak, but have been doing it with key rotational players out with injuries. But with the Brooklyn Nets (41-29) and Celtics still in contention for the Atlantic Division crown, they need as many healthy bodies as possible.
Chandler will definitely make the Knicks’ defense better, as he’s the anchor to the league’s fourth-ranked post defense. The 30-year-old also leads the league with 260 offensive rebounds and is currently tops for the third consecutive season in offensive rating (134).
Martin has had just as much defensive impact during his recent stretch, as New York is giving up 99.5 points per 100 possessions, which would rank fifth in the NBA. Conversely, when he’s off the floor, they’re giving up 103.3 points, which would put them 17th, so to add Chandler back to the mix just may reignite the stifling defensive intensity that the Knicks once rode to their season-opening 18-5 start.