Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams

New York's Carmelo Anthony, left, and Brooklyn's Deron Williams fight for a loose ball during the Nets' victory over their crosstown rival last month at the Barclays Center. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images / December 8, 2012)

NEW YORK AT BROOKLYN: Tuesday, 4 p.m. PST. TV: ESPN.


These teams have moved beyond the battle for city bragging rights. Way beyond. The Knicks have already handed the Miami Heat a pair of 20-point losses, and the long-lost Nets have found their way, even with Joe Johnson having misplaced his shooting touch. Oh, and Brooklyn also beat the Knicks last month after point guard Deron Williams collected 16 points and 14 assists. The "Broook-lynnn" chants inside the Barclays Center that night finally made the Nets feel welcome in a rivalry game in their own home, after years of being drowned out by Knicks fans in New Jersey.

— Ben Bolch

Sign up for breaking news alerts from WDBJ7 here >>>

— Ben Bolch