Monday, March 12, 2012

Knicks lose again; Fall to Bulls 104-99

The New York Knicks were looking to avoid a six game losing streak as they faced the Boston Celtics. The Knicks came out with energy and looked to play like a team wanting to win. In a back and forth game the Knicks were looking to squeeze out a win. But as the game went on the Knicks slowly fell a part. Carmelo Anthony was really good early on and really kept the Knicks in the game. Anthony scored 21 points tonight, but late in the game the Knicks were unable to get him the ball in the post. At one point Lin never passed Anthony the ball in the post and Anthony showed his frustration with the new point guard. As the leader of the team you never want to show up the guy learning the game. Anthony has to learn that no matter what you have to fight to the end. This game is a lesson to him being a leader, you have to demand the ball.

The hot hand of Amare Stoudemire was used in the middle quarters, but in the fourth quarter he barely touched the ball. Stoudemire scored 20 points as his midrange jumper looked much better tonight. His rebounding has gone down over the last few games and tonight was no different. In his 34 minutes of action Stoudemire had just 3 rebounds. That is unheard of from the power forward position. That is unacceptable simply because he is not boxing Jeremy Linout and is allowing the opposition to get rebounds. He has to play harder on both ends of the floor and be the superstar he is being paid to be.

This game was tough for the Knicks because they were in position to somehow win this game. But this will go as a reminder to them, that you have to play with the same effort every night. If the Knicks were able to beat the teams they were supposed to beat they would be high in the standings. But now they are tied for the 8th spot in the east and are possibly going to fall further out of the race.

Jeremy Lin scored 15 points and dished out 8 assists tonight. He made some terrible plays, but that is to be expected as a young player. Every Knicks starter scored in double figures tonight. The bench production was at a minimum tonight as the bench scored 18 points tonight. JR Smith continues to struggle and is starting to see his minutes diminish. He seems unfocused and is starting to fall out of favor with head coach Mike D’Antoni.

The Knicks will now face the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Tonight was a tough night and the heat is starting to get hotter as the Knicks continue to lose. Hopefully the Knicks can cool it off Wednesday night against the Blazers. Again the Knicks fall to the Bulls 104-99.

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