PREVIEW: The Washington Wizards arrive at Madison Square Garden ranking second in quick tempo offense while simultaneously ranking 26th in both attacking the rim efficiently and allowing opponents easy access to the paint on defense. Sitting at 1-5 to start the season , the Wizards face mounting pressure after struggling with energy and consistency throughout their games. Their free throw shooting has been problematic, ranking 29th in both rate and efficiency with a concerning 71.1% mark , while their offensive spacing issues compound their scoring challenges. Despite possessing a solid roster capable of competing with quality opponents , Washington has yet to string together the sustained effort required to turn their season around. The Knicks counter with elite defensive rebounding ranked first league-wide and strong rim protection defense sitting third, complemented by exceptional free throw shooting at 85.3% and prolific three-point volume at 48.5%. New York has won three consecutive home games, most recently defeating Chicago 128-116 , establishing momentum heading into this matchup. The Knicks own an impressive nine-game winning streak against Washington and lead the all-time series 9 of 10 over recent contests. While the Knicks rank 30th in offensive spacing and allow opponents to launch 47.4% of their shots from three-point range , their balanced attack and superior defensive execution should prove difficult for a struggling Wizards team to overcome at the Garden.