Another day, another loss. They are coming easy now — formulated. Knicks look good in 1st half, then the other team takes control in the 3rd quarter and builds a double-digit lead; Knicks mount minor comeback but lose by 10 or so points.
Knicks are now 2-21 in their last 23 games.
Knicks were up by 6 at the half, were outscored 29-12 in the 3rd, and got back to within 4 points with 6 minutes left. But then Wayne Ellington hit two crazy 3’s and that was it.
Knicks “Circus” at the Garden
This was possibly Dwayne Wade’s last game at MSG. Fans cheered wildly for him in the 1st half — according to Knick fans on Twitter, there were tons of Miami fans there. They started doing the wave in the second half. Meanwhile in the second half Knick fans started chanting “We Want Kanter”. Enes Kanter is still in coach David Fizdale’s doghouse for spite, as the Knicks look to trade him while Lance Thomas (18 min, 4 pts, 2 rebounds) and Mario Hezonja (12 pts on 4-10, 5 rebounds in 22 min) eat up what used to be his minutes. The 37-yr-old Wade had 15 points and 10 rebounds and did a nifty spin move at one point. Carmelo Anthony was there in the stands looking on with a nifty “Lucky 7” hat on. J.R. Smith was also in the stands. In many ways, it was like a circus.
Knicks fans give Melo a standing ovation in MSG! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HDG44G5qW3
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 28, 2019
Most Knicks fans knew Melo had no current employer, but then we found out JR Smith also was currently unemployed.
JR Smith at MSG as well…
That hat 😂 pic.twitter.com/zu7EjqfO33
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 28, 2019
Robinson & Trier: Knick Bright Spots
For the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson fun to watch as always (6 pts on 3-5, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, only 2 fouls in 23 minutes), Allonzo Trier also a joy to watch (11 pts on 3-8), Damyean Dotson looked good (14 pts on 5-9), and Tim Hardaway Jr did his thing (22 pts on 7-16). Wade is Hardaway Jr’s idol and that is why Hardaway wears #3.
Get used to this 😏 pic.twitter.com/PVC8KHZhGt
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 28, 2019
How Did Frank Ntilikina Do?
In keeping with this year’s Knicks theme, we track how Frank Ntilikina did after every game. In this game he looked good at the point on offense and defense yet again to start the game (6 pts, 4 assists in 15 min). But then it was announced at the half he had strained his groin and would not play for the 2nd half or for a while. Trey Burke is now the only Knicks point guard — he had 16 points (7-16) and 2 assists.
Kevin Knox was very quiet (4 points on 2-6) — and after the game coach Fizdale said he is going thru a bit of hitting the rookie wall. Noah Vonleh had 9 rebounds but only 2 points (1-5).
For Miami
Miami (now 24-24) doesn’t have more talent than the Knicks but they seemed better coached. Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, and Josh Richardson carried their scoring — they each had either 11, 12, or 13 points.
Knicks Coach David Fizdale
Mike Breen spent most of the 2nd quarter waxing poetic about coach David Fizdale. After about 5 minutes, Walt Frazier countered: “My problem is Mike, I understand losing, but when you lose you want teams to say they play hard, and right now you can’t say the Knicks are playing hard. Because of regardless of what players the Knicks bring in they have to appear — you’re giving the opposition 47 % FG pct, that’s Last — they’re last in defensive efficiency, last in offensive efficiency; you’ve got to start somewhere, you have to start on the D.”
Breen countered, “Fizdale has talked about that; obviously it hasn’t happened yet”, and then explained it’s because of the Knicks young players, etc, etc.
The boxscore:
http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071415
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