Knicks ready for tough homestand against Western Conference standouts

The Knicks will play their next five games at home, but all will be against formidable Western Conference opponents beginning with Saturday’s matchup against the surging Kings. 

Sacramento has won 10 of 12 under Doug Christie after Mike Brown was axed in late December with a 13-18 mark.

The Knicks’ subsequent four games will be against top six teams currently in the West: the Grizzlies, Nuggets, Lakers and Rockets. 

“Obviously, they had a little bit of a slow start, but they’ve been playing well,” newly dubbed All-Star starter Jalen Brunson said of the Kings. “Most importantly, we need to keep our consistency. Our mental approach has to be the same every single game. We have to be ready to go. 

“It’s going to be a dogfight when we get out there, no matter who we’re playing against. Any given night something could happen, so we have to be ready to go.” 

The Knicks enter Saturday’s game at MSG with a slightly better record on the road (15-8) than they’ve managed on their home court.