Who owns New York?  Good question.  If you look at this year's record, so far it's the Knicks, but here's a historical note to be aware of: The Nets are 81-79 all-time against the Knicks, one of only four opponents the Nets hold winning all-time records against. Here's another: According to Basketball reference, the Knicks have won 288 games since 2001-02, ten seasons back. That's four fewer than the Clippers. (Does that make the Knicks, not the Nets, Clippers East?  We would never say that.)

One thing we will say: this rivalry is getting a lot hotter a lot faster than we expected. Since last June's "Blueprint for Greatness" unveiling, the two teams are battling not just for respect but primacy in the metropolitan area, particularly Brooklyn.  The MSG spot is just the latest of marketing moves and counter moves.  Hey, even Knicks rookie Landry Fields thinks Tuesday night's game has a playoff quality.  How a Knicks rookie would know that is beyond us.

• New Jersey Nets Game Notes - New Jersey Nets
• New York Knicks Game Notes - New York Knicks
• Getting Inside - New Jersey Nets. - Sports Xchange
• Getting Inside - New York Knicks - Sports Xchange
• Nets-Knicks Preview - Stats LLC
• Location aside, Nets are better off than Knicks - Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider
• Net-Knick rivalry goes up a notch - Al Iannazzone - The Record
• Knicks up next: Nets - The Record
  
• Nets brace for 'tempo' tantrum - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Knicks need to seed Garden - Marc Berman - New York Post
  
• Knicks, Nets still vying for 'Melo - Marc Berman - New York Post
  
• West rivals hit Midtown - Mitch Lawrence - New York Daily News
• Like his Knicks, Walsh is now walking tall - Kristie Ackert - New York Daily News
  
• Dueling Knicks, Nets a good thing - Neil Best - New York Newsday
• Knicks hope to reverse losing trend at Garden - Barbara Barker - New York Newsday
  
• The Knicks Aren’t About to Let the Nets Claim Brooklyn for Themselves - Joe DeLessio - New York Magazine
  
• NETS: What to Watch This Week (Nov. 29-Dec. 5) - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets