Post Game Recap
In what is a stretch of important games to finish the season that the New York Knicks need to win, they came out with the effort and passion of team fighting for a playoff spot, blowing out the Brooklyn Nets 110-81. It was a decisive win for the Knicks, who moved into eighth place in the Eastern Conference with the victory over the Atlanta Hawks, who lost to the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks will look to continue their winning ways Friday night, when they take on the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden
Player of the Game: J.R. Smith
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| William Perlman-The Star-Ledger |
Since calling out the team for the lack of heart and urgency that a playoff team shows, Smith has turned things on. His game has improved immensely, and he continued that strong play Wednesday against the Nets. Smith was on fire shooting the ball, making 9-16 shots overall and 6-12 from the three point line. He stuffed the stat sheet everywhere else as well, grabbing eight rebounds and handing out six assists. Smith is dynamic with the ball in his hands when his head is on straight, and is a capable distributor when he wants to be. With Smith playing this way the Knicks are a dangerous team not only finish out the season but possibly in the playoffs as well.
Match-Up of the Game Recap:
Much like the final score, this match-up was a blowout. Carmelo Anthony outplayed Paul Pierce throughout the night. They weren’t matched up as often throughout the night with the Nets playing so small, but overall production went the way of Anthony. Anthony finished the game with 23 points on 8-16 shooting from the field, including 7-8 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, recording his 22nd double-double of the season. He also added three assists, two steals and one block. On the other hand, Pierce finished with eight points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal on the night.
-Positives
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| William Perlman-The Star-Ledger |
It was a pretty light night for most of the Knicks players, but they were still able to produce in their shortened minutes. Amar’e Stoudemire played only 21 minutes, but still gave the Nets problems, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds. The Nets had no one capable of slowing down Stoudemire, as he took it to the Nets on the interior with ease.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was questionable coming into the game, but he showed no signs of a sprained ankle. Hardaway Jr. lit the Nets up in transition and from the perimeter en route to 17 points off the bench. Hardaway Jr. looked explosive and gave the Knicks exactly what they needed off the bench.
Iman Shumpert gave the Knicks an outstanding effort off the bench. He gave them a great all-around game, scoring and playing defense as exactly as they had hoped he would coming into the season. Shumpert’s defensive pressure resulted in easy baskets for himself in transition, raising his confidence as the game went on. He recorded five steals on the night, hounding Nets opposing guards with tenacity, making them look uncomfortable all night.
The Knicks dominated the inside, just as they needed to get an easy win. They outscored the Nets in the paint 38-26, and dominated the rebounding battle 41-23. The size advantage that the Knicks possessed came into play right from the start. They were able to get easy baskets and disrupt the Nets offensively.
-Negative
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| William Perlman-The Star-Ledger |
The only negative to an otherwise successful night was the injury Raymond Felton suffered. He bruised his ribs and back, and was seen with a big wrap on the bench during the game. He vows that he will play Friday, which is a good thing for the Knicks. He has had his struggles throughout the season, but has finally started to turn things around recently and is a reason the Knicks have begun turning things around.
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