BOOM CRASH. As high as the Knicks had been the night before after the championship-like win over the Lakers, the Knicks fell to earth as Toronto crushed them. Looks like we don’t have to worry about them winning a few games in the last two weeks to screw up their lottery positioning. Although you never know.
Eleven (11) games left and Knicks have worst record in the league by 2.5 games over Phoenix. The worst team guarantees itself no worse than the #5 pick overall; if you slide to 2nd worst, there’s a 20 percent chance you could get the #6 pick, and the team that is 3rd worst has a 7 % chance at getting the #7 overall pick.
So that’s what the Knicks are playing for.
Trier Tried
This game — Allonzo Trier played well — 22 points on 8-14 shooting (1-2 from 3, 5-6 from the free throw line). He was cutting thru the defense with quickness, stopping and popping, or hitting 3’s — and playing pretty good D.
🚨 @ISO_ZO 🚨 pic.twitter.com/w9TafqmM0m
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 19, 2019
And Trier’s play is about all you can say good about the Knicks in this game! Well Damyean Dotson was ok — 4-8 for 11 pts in 18 minutes.
Shooters shoot 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/JZZvmozLza
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 19, 2019
Still Dotson and all the Knick starters were pulled off the court a few minutes into the 2nd half, as Knicks were getting blown off the court after halftime. Coach Fizdale showing his displeasure.
Mitchell Robinson (0-1, 0 pts, 3 blocks) fouled out in only 14 minutes which is not good — he had been doing so well in staying out of foul trouble since returning from injury, but now the last few games has been ringing up fouls.
.@23savage____ doin' what he do ❌ pic.twitter.com/KK5TqNhBFX
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 19, 2019
The Knicks Who Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Kevin Knox (4-14, 12 pts) had a poor shooting game, as did Mario Hezonja (3-10, 8 pts), and Emmanuel Mudiay (2-7 for 7 pts). Shooters John Jenkins (1-4, 0-3 from 3) and Luke Kornet (2-8, 0-5 from 3) came in and shot badly. Kadeem Allen was 0-8 for 0 pts. Even DeAndre Jordan who only takes slam dunks and layups, was 0-2 from the floor for 6 pts in 20 minutes. Yea it was that bad.
Henry Ellenson (3-6, 9 pts) and Lance Thomas (1-3, 4 pts) rounded out the boxscore. Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr, and Noah Vonleh continued to be injured.
Toronto Looked GOOD
For Toronto, Pascal Siakam (9-14 19 pts, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) looked terrific, as everyone has been saying. He is long and lean and muscular and quick — runs the floor like.. The Greek Freak.
Toronto Looked REALLY WELL COACHED
Kawhi Leonard was out injured, but Toronto ran the Knicks off the court. Toronto looked very well coached — their coach Nick Nurse — who used to be the assistant — has an extensive coaching history, including college, 11 years coaching in Europe where he won a bunch of titles, and the D League.
Toronto Looked LIKE GREYHOUNDS
Fred VanVleet (5-9, 13 pts, 12 assists) looked fleet. Kyle Lowry looked a tad slow, and Walt Frazier noticed it and mentioned it. Mike Breen explained Lowry was just coming back from a sprained ankle. Danny Green was shooting lights out (4-6, 3-4 from 3, 13 points in 22 minutes). OG Anunoby (6-12, 1-6 from 3, 14 pts) was finishing at the rim. Toronto just ran the Knicks off the court. Marc Gasol was in there too with 12 pts and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes. Jeremy Lin — 7-11 for 20 points in 27 minutes why not.
It’s all about the coaching and Toronto has good coaching, making their players look like greyhounds.
The boxscore:
http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071726
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