Knicks End West Coast Trip On High Note, Defeat Jazz

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, March 31^st, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz

Post Game Recap

The New York Knicks were able to handle business Monday night, beating the Utah Jazz 92-83. The Knicks knew before halftime that they needed a victory tonight to keep pace with the Atlanta Hawks, who defeated the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the night. The Knicks were able to do so, and will head back home with a 3-2 west coast trip and one game behind the Hawks for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. It was also only the second time this season the Knicks picked up a victory after trailing at halftime. Things will get difficult from here on out for the Knicks, as the remaining opponents on their schedule all hold records above .500. They will get back on the court Wednesday night to take on the cross town rival Brooklyn Nets.

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Rick Bowmer/AP Photo

Amar’e Stoudemire was unable to go tonight because of a scheduled day off, so Anthony knew he had to carry the scoring load. Carry the load he did, as he poured in 34 points on 11-19 from the field. Anthony had his jump shot going throughout the evening, knocking down 4-7 from beyond the three point line and sinking all eight of his free throw attempts. Anthony also grabbed eight rebounds to go with three assists, three steals and one block.

-Positives

For the second consecutive night, the Knicks defense is what drove them to victory. Last night they were able to hold the high-scoring Golden State Warriors to only 18 points in the fourth quarter, tonight they one upped that, giving up only 14 to the Jazz. On the night the Jazz shot only 38.8 percent from the field, and 33.3 from the three point line. The scoring output for the Jazz declined in every quarter from the first on.

Without Stoudemire in the lineup, other players had to step up scoring tonight for the Knicks and that is exactly what they did. In addition to Anthony, the Knicks had four other players score in double-figures; Tyson Chandler had 15, Raymond Felton had 12, J.R. Smith had 13 and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 10 off the bench.

Rick Bowmer/AP Photo

The balanced scoring was huge for the Knicks tonight, as they were playing in the second night of a back-to-back. They were able to play efficiently on the offensive end, making 47.1 percent of their shots. They also turned the ball over only nine times, not allowing the Jazz to get into transition. The Knicks tonight looked like a team that wants to make the playoffs. With less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the game was tied at 67. From there, the Knicks took over, outscoring the Jazz 25-16 the remainder of the game.

-Negative

Hardaway Jr. appeared to injure his ankle in the waning seconds of the game. With the outcome already decided, he looked to land awkwardly and be in real pain. He was helped to the locker room by Anthony as he was unable to put any pressure on it. He will be taken for x-rays and tests, but was seen being taken out of the arena in a wheelchair. If Hardaway Jr. is unable to go Wednesday, it will be a big blow for the Knicks. Hardaway Jr. has emerged as the only scoring option off the bench with Smith and Stoudemire being inserted into the starting lineup.