Knicks Knotes

CP3, Clippers Bench Too Much For Knicks

Final Score: Clippers 102, Knicks 88

Record: 32-17 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Lost 1

Too much Chris Paul, too much Clipper bench. 

And we thought the Knicks were a deep team? Jeez, Bledsoe and Crawford are a tough duo. 

LA Bench 48 points, Knicks Bench 15.

Gotta give LA credit, played a great game and withstood a 42 point effort from Melo.

Post Game Knotes:

• Sorry JR, Crawford showed why he is the 6th man of the year this year. Simply, he’s been consistent. There has been too many up and down games from JR this season and today was one of those down ones. 
• This defense doesn’t look like anything like it was in the beginning of the season. Something has to change.
• Felton’s injury looked pretty bad, but he bounced back. Took a STAT forearm to the throat and a neck wrench from Lamar Odom right after. 
• Novak with an extra awful defensive outing out there. Yea, he is only supposed to be a shooter, but as an NBA player.. you can’t just GIVE up points over and over to the opposing team. It was like the Clips were playing 6 on 4 with him out there.
• When was the last time Jason Kidd hit a three pointer? Law of averages in full effect right now.
• In the pre game key matchup, had Chandler in there… not the best game from Tyson. Fumbled a lot of passes near the basket.

Over/Under Game Results: WE FINALLY HAVE A WINNER! Congrats to magic50zz on going 5 for 5. You were close on so many games, finally got one to go! Good job man.

• Chris Paul 6 Assists: Over (7)
• Billups 10 Points: Under (8)
• Melo 27 Points: Over (42)
• Jordan 10 Rebounds: Under (3)
• Crawford 15 Points: Over (27)

Glad someone finally won one of these, haha.

Next up, Toronto on Wednesday.

KNOTEWORHTY KNICK OF THE GAME: Even though he disappeared in the 4th (only 4 of his 42 in the quarter), still have to give it to Melo. Grant Hill did a great job on him in the 4th - 42 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block

Knicks Top Pistons, Go 5-0 on Home-Stand - 3rd Straight Chandler w/ 20+ Rbs

Final Score: Knicks 99, Pistons 85

Record: 31-15 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Won 5

Couldn’t ask for a better five game home-stand.

The Knicks dominated from the get-go. I think we all knew that Melo was going to come out firing.

We need to rack up as many wins in February as possible because is absolutely brutal in March.

Post Game Knotes:

• Pretty crazy, Chandler with another 20+ rebound game. Seems like something just clicked with him.
• Makes me smile when STAT, Melo and Tyson are on the floor and everything is running smoothly. 
• JR! air ball free throw? haha, the Gardens reaction (cheers) to when he hit the next one was great.
• Thought Calderon did a pretty good job considering this was his first game as a Piston. 
• Felton had a pretty solid game, not too much scoring, but did a great job distributing the ball (9 assists).
• STAT had a very Hakeen like fade-away… man, those lessons are really paying off. The guy seems unstoppable on offense.

Things are just really rolling right now. Off to Washington on Wednesday… should be another win.

Over/Under Game Results: Close! But, No Winners

• Stoudemire 18 Points: Over (20)
• Calderon 6 Assists: Under (3)
• Knicks 10 Three Pointers Made: Over (14)
• Melo 27 Points: Even (27)
• Chandler 10 Rebounds: Over (20)

KNOTEWORTY KNICK OF THE GAME: Going to give it to Chandler for grabbing 20 rebounds. To do that 3 game in a row is ridiculous. Oh, and gotta give it to him for losing the Super Bowl bet to Melo. Had to rock a Ravens hat during post game interviews - 8 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Knicks Hang On, Beat Hawks Behind Melo’s 42

Final Score: Knicks 106, Hawks 104

Record: 27-15 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Won 1

Extremely frustrating game, but the Knicks pulled it out. 

New York had no clue how to keep Jeff Teague out of the paint, but it didn’t matter. The Knicks held on after Josh Smith missed a wide open three pointer at the buzzer to win it.

Post Game Knotes:

• For the first time this season, the Knicks let an opponent shoot 60% from the field. 60%! that’s ridiculous. Makes sense since pretty much all their point came in the paint.
• Melo just had one of those game… pretty much unguardable tonight. He was on track to break the NBA record (of 12) for most three’s in a game, but after hitting 9 through three quarters, he hit none in the fourth. Still tied the Knick record though.
• Three points of concern - Chandler’s neck, Jason Kidd’s back and Ronnie Brewer’s existence. 
• Straight up, the Knicks D is pretty bad right now
• Other than not being able to guard Jeff Teague, Felton had a pretty nice game: 12 points 10 assists.
• Amar’e is settling into his role, second straight effective game: 18 points 8 rebounds.

Over/Under Game Result: No Winners

• Melo 29 Points: Over (42)
• Josh Smith 2 Blocks: Under (0)
• Shumpert 2 Steals: Push (2)
• Amare 17 Points: Over (18)
• Knicks 10 Turnovers: Over (14)

People shit on Woody for his lack of play calling at the end of games, but isn’t the reason why we got Melo was to just dump it down to him and let him work?

KNOTEWORTHY KNICK OF THE GAME: Melo - so that’s 29 straight games that Anthony has scored 20+ points. That ties an all-time Knick record - 42 points (9 threes), 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Knicks FINALLY Win One in Boston

Final Score: Knicks 89, Celtics 86

Record: 26-14 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Won 1

Goddamnit… FINALLY! a win in Boston. 

That hasn’t happened since freakin 2006. Feels good… feels real good.

JR, you shot 2-60, but I may give you the game ball for knocking down that clutch 3 and coming up with two HUGE defensive stops at the end. I may.

Post Game Knotes:

• Marv Albert constantly calling out Boston for the fake noise and not being rowdy enough at the start of the game was pretty funny
• Shump is looking pretty damn good now (10 points). I still cringe when he takes it to the basket or makes an athletic move
• Best game I’ve seen from STAT in a long time: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks. I like this role he has coming off the bench.
• Rarely used Matchup Zone was used by the Knicks… kinda liked it.
• STAT, Shump, JR, Prigs and Novak is a nice lineup. Reminds me of the lineups the Knicks used to have before Melo arrived
• Felton’s value finally got acknowledged by Kerr and Marv. Was happy to hear them talk about it. Can’t wait till he’s back on Saturday.
• Rondo getting a triple double against the Knicks is one of the easiest things to call in the world
• Shout out to my buddy Dev who was sitting two seats behind Doc. I see you, hahah. I have no clue how you got those tickets though.

Over/Under Game Results: No Winners

• Melo 30 Points: Under (28)
• Pierce 25 Points: Under (22)
• Shumpert 22 Minutes: Over (27)
• Knicks/Celtics 2 Technicals: Under (0)
• Rondo 8 Assists: Over (11)

Knicks Fall to Nets, Finish Season Series 2-2

Final Score: Nets 88, Knicks 85

Record: 25-14 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Lost 1 

If these two teams meet in the playoffs.. boy that’s going to be a great series.

Gotta hand it to Joe Johnson. He hit a pretty tough jumper to put the Nets up by 1 late in the game. 

JR Smith had a pretty good quote after the game: “Two and two against them stinks.”

That pretty much sums up my feelings.

Post Game Knotes: 

• These slow first quarters are killing us. 
• Am I the only one that has a queasy feeling in their stomach while watching Shumpert cut and play defense? I just stare directly at his knee, worried. 
• Any one else notice the nice chemistry between STAT and Melo? BUT (and this is a big one), if Stoudemire keeps fumbling Melo’s passes, Melo going to start thinking twice throwing it to him.
• Did JR smith steal Westbrook’s/Noah’s gun shot celebration?
• Don’t look now, the Knicks are only 1 game up on the Nets for first in the Atlantic
• Knicks took care of the ball today, only 5 turnovers.. 
• 6 for 21 on threes…. not going to cut it.

Over/Under Game Results: No Winners 

• Evans 12 Rebounds: Under (9)
• Deron 7 Assists: Over (12)
• Shumpert 10 Points: Under (2)
• Melo 27 Points: Over (29)
• Knicks 10 Turnovers: Under (5)

welp…. Knicks in Boston on Thursday night. Expect to see hear some “honey nut cheerio” chants.

KNOTEWORTHY KNICK OF THE GAME: Melo… just needed a few more points out of you. Nice job passing the ball today though - 29 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block

Knicks Handle Pistons in Shump’s Debut

Final Score: Knicks 102, Piston 87

Record: 25-13
Current Streak: Won 2

“Giddy” would be the most accurate word to describe myself while watching Shumpert play. It was quiet clear, he was not thinking about his knee at all.

The attempted dunk, the steals, the aggressiveness, attacking the basket, shooting.. Shump was showing it all off today.

The Pistons aren’t a very good team… so this was pretty much the perfect game for him to ease on back.

Post Game Knotes:

• Amar’e had his best offensive game since coming back - the defense is still really suspect… but, that’s the story of his career: 17 points, 4 rebounds. The jump shot looks nice
• Speaking of Amar’e nice ovation for him from the London crowd when he entered the game, kind of surprised me.
• Chandler did a great job limited Monroe, help to him to only 11 points.
• 16 total turnovers. I blame it on the travel and playing in front of a new crowd.
• Melo was Melo - 26 points.

Over/Under Game Results: No Winners

• Shumpert 15 Minutes: 15 - Push
• Melo 30 Points: 26 - Under
• Monroe 3 Assists: 5 - Over
• Drummond 2 Blocks: 2 - Push
• Shumpert 2 Steals: 1 - Under

Knicks put on a good show for a potential NBA city down the line.

This team’s depth is scary good once everyone is healthy.

KNOTEWORHTY KNICK OF THE GAME: Who else? Iman Shumpert - 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal

Knicks Swat Hornets, End Three Game Skid

Final Score: Knicks 100, Hornets 87

Record: 24-13
Current Streak: Won 1 

Copeland stepped up.

Priggie Smalls stepped up.

The Knicks defense stepped up.

After a slow start (blame the 12PM tipoff), the Knicks found their rhythm late in the second quarter and never looked back.

Losing streak over.

Post Game Knotes:

• The Knicks looked a lot better with the two point guard set, with Prigioni running the sets.
• JR Smith looked… off. Seemed like he was in a bad mood or something.
• Copeland ended the game with 22 points on 9-15 shooting. Not a bad outing picking up JR’s scoring slack.
• Brewer, how do you pass up that layup? Wide open and you kick the ball out for three? One too many passes there.
• Although the ball movement was much better today (24 assists), Melo is still a little resistant kicking out of the double-team. I think he forgot how well the Knicks were playing when he was doing that earlier in the season.
• To quote someone on twitter - Austin Rivers is doo doo
• Three ball was a factor again (was missing that the past few), Knicks knocked down 11 today.
• STAT’s looking better and better with each game. I really like this bench role for him.
• I can’t look at Anthony Davis without thinking about the GIF of his eyebrow flying away.

Over/Under Game Results: No winners

• Davis 2 Blocks: Under (1)
• Melo 30 Points: Under (27)
• Vazquez 8 Assists: Under (8)
• Novak 2 Threes: Over (3)
• Chandler 10 Rebounds: Over (14)

How about my pre-game score prediction there? Guessed the Knicks score right, was only one bucket off on the Hornets total.

Knicks win the season series against the Hornets 2-0.

KNOTEWORHTY KNICK OF THE GAME: Pablo Prigioni - not huge numbers, but he really settled down the team. Ran the offense much better than Kidd - who has been uncharacteristically un-Kidd like the past few games with a bunch of lousy turnovers - 8 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal.

Melo’s Return Not Enough Against Bulls, Knicks Lose Third Straight

Final Score: Bulls 108, Knicks 101

Record: 23-13 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in Eastern Conference)
Current Streak: Lost 3

Welp, at least I got a free t-shirt.

I’ll tell you right now, the Knicks desperately miss Ray Felton. 

As I said in the pregame write up, the game is completely different when you have a legitimate scoring threat at the point guard position. A guy that attacks the basket changes the way the opposition plays defense. 

The offense looked horribled (except the fourth) even with Melo back in the line-up. Don’t look now, but the Pacers and Hawks are very close behind us.

Over/Under Game Results:

• Melo 35 Points: Over (39)
• JR Smith 25 Points: Under (13)
• Noah 15 Rebounds: Under (8)
• Knicks 13 Turnovers: Under (12)
• Kidd 3 Turnovers: Under (1)

Knicks back in action Sunday afternoon against the Hornets (should be a win).

KNOTEWORTHY KNICK OF THE GAME: Melo - 39 points on 32 shots not so great… but he’s was our only offense - 39 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Knicks Fall Flat Against Pacers, Score Season Low 76 Points

Final Score: Pacers 81, Knicks 76

Record: 23-12 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd Eastern Conference)
Streak: Lost 2 

Well the other outcome happened. The Knicks came out flatter than a pancake.

The very ugly first half (33% from the field, only one 3-pter made - 34 points total) continued into the second half (33% from the field, three 3-pters made - 42 points total)

Just a brutal game to watch.

Post Game Knotes:

• More often then not, defense will win out against offense. The Knicks average the most 3 pointers made per game, the Pacers have the league’s best defense against the three. The Pacer held the Knicks to just 4-20 from outside.
• “Undisclosed foot injury” strikes again! Camby left the game after hurting his foot on a lay up
• Copeland and Amar’e have absolutely no lateral quickness or defensive awareness. 
• If at any point you hear “Camby is carrying the offense,” you know its a bad game
• Crazy Eyes Kurt Thomas was pretty key defensively during our third quarter run
• Jason Kidd hasn’t really looked the same in a past few games.. what’s going on there?
• For the defensive player of the year, Chandler doesn’t really play that great defense haha

Glad to have Melo back tomorrow night.

KNOTEWORTHY KNICK OF THE GAME: JR Smith - no quit, kept coming at the Pacers, including a poster dunk of Ian Mahmimini which I posted earlier. He continues to make his allstar case - 25 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal

…. damn Celtics.

Final Score: Celtics 102, Knicks 96

So angry. I am so angry.

A game in January shouldn’t mean this much.

It shouldn’t… but it did. 

I hate… so much… that is Paul Pierce.

It’s always Paul Pierce. Always…

smh.

btw, Melo should have knocked KG in the teeth.

Also, where is Brewer in those final 8 minutes? Why is Amar’e in the game if he’s not getting any offensive plays called for him? What’s the point because he’s certainly not in there for defense.

Mark it down, turning point of the season for the Celtics happened tonight.