N.Y. Knicks: 'Bockers Hit A (John) Wall; Skid Hits Five

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

 

NEW YORK CITY BASKETBALL

 

ATLANTIC DIVISION:

New York Knicks  3-9; T-Last

Brooklyn Nets        3-9; T-Last

NEW YORK KNICKS: All In All, It's Just Another Brick In The WALL....

KNICKS LOSE 5TH STRAIGHT; DROP INTO LAST PLACE TIE WITH BROOKLYN.

Pre-Game: Melo Versus The World

Saturday Night Final
Knicks      89
Wizards   98

Set another plate at the table, because Misery has company.

Hello neighbor!  The Knicks were pushed up against a Wall in Washington Saturday night, and into a tie for last place of the Atlantic Division with the Brooklyn Nets.  With identical 3-9 records, perhaps both New York City teams can now join to commiserate over their continuing misfortunes and folly during the holidays together.  How nice would that be?

The Knicks losing streak is now up to five games.  Their latest defeat came Saturday night in the Nation's capital, by a 98-89 final score.  A 52-49 lead at half-time, quickly became a seven point deficit after three quarters.  The Knicks were outscored 27-17 in the third, and never recovered - eventually losing by a nine point margin.

Washington's legislator, point guard John Wall laid down the law.  He led all players with 31 points and 7 assists.  He was 10/18 from the field, and 10/11 from the line.  And there in lies your game.  Free throws and each team's ability to get to the line wound up being the deciding factor.

The Knicks and Wizards battled to a near even 74-72 Washington advantage from the field.  The Knicks connected on a few more three's than the Wizards.  The battle of the boards and team assists were relatively even as well.  The Washington Wizards, and Wall in particular, however, considerably outshot the Knicks from the line.  New York only managed 15 shots all game, and connected on six.  Washington took 22 free throws, and connected on 17, for a decidedly 11 point advantage.  The Wizards also outpaced the Knicks on the fast-break by a 16-5 margin.

The Wizards only employed an eight-man rotation.  Coach Woodson had seven players receive at least 20 minutes, and tasked World Peace and Pablo Prigioni with another 29 combined minutes.

Carmelo Anthony topped the Knicks with 41 minutes in defeat, scoring a team high 23 points, and pulling down another team high 12 boards.  J.R. Smith is still rounding into form as the team's second scorer, and dropped 15 points in 30 minutes.  Amare Stoudemire returned to the floor, and scored 12 points in 22 minutes.




Mike.BTB