J.R Goes from Goat to Hero

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 100 Charlotte Bobcats: 98

J.R. Smith Goes From Goat to Hero

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If there was a game all season the Knicks were not meant to win, tonight was the night.  The Knicks struggled mightily throughout the game, looking to be distracted by the big matchup with the Heat looming Thursday night; but they were able to pull out a victory from someone who struggled as much as anyone on the night.

J.R. Smith struggled throughout the game, having a rough shooting night going one for nine from three point range and five of 15 overall.  That was all erased with one shot, as Smith nailed a game winning 18-foot step back jumper over rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.  Smith struggled throughout the game but never had his confidence waver, as he took it upon himself to take the big shot with Carmelo Anthony injured.

Anthony injured his hand, getting a laceration on his left middle finger that required five stitches with two minutes remaining in the game.  Anthony was on fire in the first half, scoring 20 points and being unstoppable; no matter whom the Bobcats threw at him he scored on them.  The good play would end for Anthony at halftime, as the second half was a real struggle.

Anthony started the second half zero for 10 and making only one free throw before making a tough shot in the paint towards the end of the fourth quarter.  Anthony was not the only Knicks who struggled in the second half, as they missed 11 straight shots at one point in the third quarter and missing 14 of their last 16 shots in the period. 

One person who didn’t struggle in the second half was Raymond Felton, who was making a homecoming in his return to Charlotte.  Felton struggled in the first half in front of friends and family with a wrap on his left hand, shooting two of nine.  Once that wrap came off, Felton got going in the second half.

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Felton was responsible for the first seven points right of the gate in the second half for the Knick and was a driving force in the five second violation called against the Bobcats with 1:10 remaining in the game.  He also tied the game with a driving layup with 56.3 seconds left, finishing the game with 17 points, nine assists, two rebounds and no assists. 

Jason Kidd returned from his back spasms and his impact was evident right from the first time he stepped on the court.  Kidd came off the bench for the first time tonight since 2004 and made plays all night.

Kidd packed the stat sheet, scoring seven points with two rebounds, one assists, two steals and three blocks.  He also was instrumental in the five second violation and made the timeout call when the Knicks were in disarray after stealing the ball on the game winning possession.  Kidd’s presence on the court was a driving force behind the Knicks winning tonight. 

One person who gave consistent effort tonight for the Knicks was Tyson Chandler.  Chandler had the highest +/- for the Knicks with a +10 and made his presence felt right from the opening tip.

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Chandler finished the game with 18 points and a season high 17 rebounds, scoring eight of those points and grabbing nine of those rebounds in the first quarter alone.  Without Chandler, the rebounding numbers would have been more abysmal for the Knicks, as even with Chandler’s effort they were outrebounded 50-36.

Defense at times was non-existent for the Knicks, as two New York Natives torched them tonight.  Kemba 

Walker and Ben Gordon beat the Knicks from all over the court as no guard was able to slow them down.  Walker scored 25 points and handed out 11 assists, while Gordon added 17 of his own off the bench; this is a game that Iman Shumpert was sorely missed as no Knicks guard was quick enough to stay in front of either Walker or Gordon.

Next up for the Knicks is a huge matchup against the Heat in Miami Thursday night.  The Heat have been waiting to exact some revenge on the Knicks from opening night, so the Knicks have to be ready and come out with some intensity.  Anthony is not sure if he will suit up tomorrow, but I have a feeling that there is no way he misses this one.