KNICKS 88
Ever since this 2012-2013 New York Knicks team was getting healthy with the return of Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert, the overall play of this team has gotten worse. Sure the Knicks are in first place in the Atlantic Division, holding off a Nets team, that at times, can't get out of their own way; but, the Knicks have become more of a one man show led by Carmelo Anthony that can't play any defense. A formula that will not work come playoff time.
On Sunday, the Knicks couldn't capitalize off a spirited third quarter, watching Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and even former Knick Jamal Crawford, run all over them in LA's 102-88 win at the Garden.The Knicks, 32-17 are 14-12 in their last 26 games, and it is becoming clear with each passing game, that this team has to find more offense from the other players on this club; and for once they have to play solid defense.
The Knicks were once again led by Carmelo Anthony, who posted 42-points, his fifth 40-plus performance of the season; but the forward managed only two-points in the fourth quarter.
Anthony led the Knicks comeback in the third quarter, scoring 18-points, including four, three-pointers as the Knicks grabbed a 61-60 lead midway through the quarter. But, Anthony's third quarter, didn't mask the fact that New York couldn't get much from the small lineup.
J.R. Smith was quiet all day. He finished with six-points and went 1-for-9 from the floor. He was ineffective, while Jason Kidd looked old, and Iman Shumpert and Amare Stoudemire were nowhere to be found. Even though Raymond Felton scored 20-points, he missed a bunch of shots too, going 9-for-18 from the field.
The game changed in the fourth quarter when Clippers' Eric Beldsoe and Crawford connected on three consecutive baskets to give LA a 78-73 advantage. Crawford, the former Knick was a monster on the boards, connecting on 12-of-22 shots for 27-points as LA posted 31 points in the fourth quarter.
Crawford later connected on two easy drives to the hoop and an 8-foot jumper as the Clippers build a nine point advantage.
The Knicks defense was terrible. They couldn't grab rebounds when they needed them, and they allowed guys like Crawford, and even an old man like Grant Hill to make plays offensively. Meanwhile, New York couldn't buy a shot when it counted. They missed eight shots and watched other possessions end in either an errant pass or a turnover; the only offense in the fourth quarter came on free throw attempts.
Soon the Clippers All-Star duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin took over, as they each nailed long distance jump shots as the Clippers pulled away 94-86.
The struggles defensively against their oppoents on the glass, and more importantly on the three-point line, is a constant problem for the Knicks. They struggled to handle Ricky Rubio and Timberwolves on Friday from both inside and outside the paint, and before that, the Knicks didn't even show up against the Wizards.
There are some serious issues here. The Knicks don't look in sync offensively when Anthony, Stoudemire and Shumpert are on the floor, and they are not getting the big three-point contributions they got earlier in the year from Steve Novak and J.R. Smith.
If things are to turn around soon, coach Mike Woodsen is going to have to get this team to gel big-time during the All-Star break.
No comments:
Post a Comment