Knicks Back in Win Column vs. Pacers

Sunday, November 18^th, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: Indiana Pacers: 76 New York Knicks: 88

Knicks Get Back in Win Column vs. Pacers

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It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but the Knicks will take it as they turned the clock back and went 90’s Knicks on the Pacers, winning 88-76.  The rare noon tipoff played a part in the slow start, as both teams shot poorly from the field and the game was very sloppy for portions of it.  The win moves the Knicks home record to 4-0 with all their victories being of the double-digit variety.

The Knicks defense was stellar once again Sunday afternoon and was the driving force in the victory.  They forced 19 Pacer turnovers and converted them into 18 points, while turning the ball over themselves only eight times for five points. The Knicks also held the Pacers to 39.4 percent shooting on the afternoon.

The Knicks actually shot worse than the Pacers at 36.7 percent, but made up for it out-rebounding their 

opponent for the first time all season and having fewer turnovers, taking 18 more shots than the Pacers. 

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Carmelo Anthony paced the Knicks on offense, scoring 26 points on nine of 22 shooting. Anthony added a team high tying nine rebounds and two steals.  Another great thing to see in the box score is that Anthony had zero turnovers.

J.R. Smith had another strong game for the Knicks, scoring 13 points and adding seven rebounds and two assists, filling out his stat sheet with one steal and block each.  The most surprising thing about Smith’s season thus far is his rebounding numbers, ranking second amongst shooting guards in the NBA.

Rasheed Wallace continued his comeback with another stellar performance off the bench for the Knicks.  Wallace scored nine straight points between the third and fourth, finishing it off with a huge tomahawk dunk off a pick-and-roll with Pablo Prigioni. 

Wallace has moved ahead of Marcus Camby on the front court depth chart, as Wallace has become head coach Mike Woodson’s first option off the bench.  Wallace pulled down seven rebounds and blocked a shot in 17 minutes.

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Camby, who sat for the last two games, got some burn Sunday, playing 13 minutes, grabbing four rebounds and blocking a shot also. 

Jason Kidd received a nasty cut on his head in the first quarter, when Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson had his teeth go into his head.  Kidd required seven stitches to be administered, but returned to the court in the second quarter wearing a head band to cover up the stitches.  Kidd had a quiet game, scoring three points with two assists, two rebounds and one steal.

Next up after an off day is a three game road trip for the Knicks starting with a game in New Orleans against number one overall pick Anthony Davis and the Hornets.  The Knicks will then travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks and then take on Jeremy Lin and the Rockets Friday.  

Grizzlies Hand Knicks First Loss of Season

Friday, November 16^th, 2012

Post Game Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 94 Memphis Grizzlies: 104

Grizzlies Hand Knicks First Loss of Season

The Knicks suffered their first loss of the season in a tough game against the Grizzlies Friday night, falling 104-94.  The game was tightly contested going into halftime, but the Knicks lost their composure in the 3^rd quarter and the Grizzlies took advantage, going on a 19-1 run. 

The run was made because of self-inflicted wounds by the Knicks, who were whistled for four technical fouls on the night, three of which came during the third quarter Grizzlies run.  There were some questionable calls made by the referees as well, but the Knicks were unable to get past that and let that affect their play.

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Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Rasheed Wallace all had five fouls called on them; the momentum changed when Anthony was called for his fourth foul with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter.  The Grizzlies started their 19-1 run when Anthony exited, as Chandler picked up his fourth foul not more than a minute later and committed his fifth shortly after.

The Knicks unraveled in the third quarter, but were able to get it back together in the fourth quarter, cutting the Grizzlies lead that was up to 22 points down to 10, giving fans a glimmer of hope as tonight started to look eerily familiar to the Spurs game the night prior.  It was good to see the Knicks not throw in the towel and roll over; instead they continued to play hard and played right to the end.

The Knicks continued a streak tonight also that they will need to break if they want to truly contend, as they were outrebounded for the seventh consecutive game.  Zach Randolph dominated the glass with the smaller Anthony guarding him most of the night, grabbing 15 boards in addition to his 20 points. 

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The Knicks were outcoached in this one, as head coach Mike Woodson was unable to made adjustments in this one.  The small-ball lineup the Knicks have been using with Anthony at the 4 was exposed tonight, as the talented and huge Grizzlies’ front line took advantage.  They got Anthony in foul trouble and the Knicks were unable to get into any type of offensive rhythm with their top gun on the bench.

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Wallace had a strong game, turning the clock back and showing off an old school post game that is rarely seen in the NBA anymore.  Wallace finished with 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks, continuing to amaze with his play after being out of the NBA for two seasons. 

Raymond Felton had another strong night for the Knicks, scoring 18 points and handing out five assists.  Anthony led the team with 20 points scored and looked poised to have a monster game if not for the foul trouble.

J.R. Smith’s tough night played a role in a lackluster performance for the Knicks tonight.  He received a technical for a skirmish with Jerryd Bayless in the second quarter and then received a cut underneath his eye in the third quarter.   Smith finished with nine points and a team high seven rebounds, but the Knicks were outscored by eight with him on the court.  That isn’t near the worst +/- on the night for the Knicks, as Felton’s +/- was -21.

Next up for the Knicks is a Sunday matinee against the slumping Indiana Pacers.  The Pacers are struggling without Danny Granger, stumbling out to a 4-6 start.  This is a great opportunity for the Knicks to start up another win streak and will be the fifth of seven games in an 11 day stretch for the Knicks.