CENTER: MASON PLUMLEE VERSUS TYSON CHANDLER
Tyson Chandler (AP)
Mason Plumlee: 60 G, 18 GS, 17.2 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, .625 FG%, .000 3P%, .636 FT%, 17.9 PER
Tyson Chandler: 49 G, 49 GS, 30.7 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG, .598 FG%, .000 3P%, .628 FT%, 17.2 PER
What a big difference a few months make, huh? On January 20th, Mason Plumlee only logged three minutes at the end of Brooklyn’s blowout win.
But with Kevin Garnett’s back spasms, Plumlee has started sixteen consecutive games for the Nets and has held his own. Plumlee is shooting 62% from field, a mark that would rank him second in the entire NBA if he qualified. Chandler, however, has underwhelmed this season, finishing games with more two-point, four-rebound outputs than a team would like from their starter; but he’s still the type of center that could give the rookie fits.
Undoubtedly, the Nets have missed Kevin Garnett’s defensive presence, but the Knicks are likely to bomb away from outside. If Plumlee can consistently box Chandler out and keep him from tipping rebounds out to the perimeter, then there’s no reason he can’t leave a positive mark on this game.
Advantage: Even
