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Both teams in a negative mood on Christmas day

While the Knicks want to give their fans some holiday cheer by winnign today, the Wizards are looking to make up for two consecutive home defeats

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Although it seemed that the arrival of the great Phil Jackson would bring better times for the New York Knicks, we've yet to see any of that. Derek Fisher's team have so far had the worst season opening in franchise history, and with the way things seem lately, the immediate future has little to offer.

Melo and the crew are losing practically everywhere, and have lost in Toronto as well on Sunday evening, for a 15th defeat in their last 16 games.

- I find it really hard to believe we're in this situation- said Anthony.

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Although the Knicks somehow managed to keep up with the Raptors in the first half, ending it with a 7 point lag, 51-58, the path to defeat was set when they played a poor third quarter that left them at a huge 16 point deficit with 75-91.

The Knicks did not impress defensively, allowing the Raptors 48.8% shooting from the field, while the home team also had a 43-32 advantage in rebounding.

- There were quite a few situations where we just stood there, hoping they would miss, instead of holding up a hand and contesting the shot- said coach Fisher, criticizing the defense of his team.

Not even another great performance by Anthony with 28 points (12/26) helped the Knicks, while Jason Smith added 16 (6/11).

- I'm trying to stay positive despite all this. I hope things will soon turn to our favor. I have stay mentally tough and positive, both for myself and for the rest of the team, who are also having a tough time dealing with this- added Melo.

Having played their last match on Sunday, the Knicks had plenty of time to rest prior to tonight's game against the Wizards. Although it has yet yo be officially confirmed, the Knicks should have Stoudemire tonight, while J.R. Smith's appearance is in question.

Whatever happens, Melo and the team will try to put up more of a resistance to the Wizards, who've already won in New York, back in November. Coach Fisher's team had huge problems on offense back then, making only 37% of their shots, while they did not impress defensively either, allowing the Wizards to shoot 48.8% (Temple 17pts, Pierce 17pts).

While the Knicks have been in the dark since the season started, the Wizards hit a dry spell only in the last two games, which they both lost. After lining up six consecutive victories, the Wizards first lost to the Suns at home, and then lost another one in their Verizon Tuesday night, when they lost to the Bulls.

-They made some very important and difficult shots in the finish of the game, while we missed layups we usually make- said Wall.

And while the Wizards made 42.7% of their shots, they allowed Rose and his team to make 45.9% of the ones they attempted. However, coach Wittman sees the main reason for the defeat in the 52-41 rebounds advantage for the Bulls, which was particularly felt with so called loose rebounds.

- I believe those rebounds destroyed us in the first half. We'd be playing great defense for 22, 23 seconds, then they fire off a difficult shot, get an offensive rebound and start over-said Wittman, whose team was led by Wall with 18 points (9/16) and nine assists, while Beal added another 15 (6/12) points.

The Washingont Wizards have not lost three games in a row so far this season, and in order to keep that statistic they need to beat the Knicks, whom they've defeated the last four times the teams met. This will also mark the start of a series in which the Wizards will play six away matches in seven games.

-We lost two home games in a row, we have to make up for it somewhere. We have a very tough series coming, and it would be nice to face it with two victories, but we are not. This means we face a great challenge to make up for that- said Pierce.