It was a very up and down game for both the Kings and Knicks tonight. Both teams made runs and led in this game. The Knicks at one point led by 13 points before the Kings would make a run to take the lead in the first half. Both teams battled late in this game which led to overtime after Carmelo Anthony missed the potential game winner as time expired.
In overtime it was all Sacramento as they would go on to defeat the Knicks 106-101. They played a very strong overtime despite not having DeMarcus Cousins, who was injured late in the fourth quarter. They took advantage of the poor defense by the Knicks which result in them winning the game.
The Kings really struggled early on, the Knicks came out strong, but the emergence of Jimmer Fredette would propel the Kings over the Knicks tonight. Fredette came in and really turned things around for Sacramento. He would notch a career high 24 points tonight including six three-pointers. Fredette is just averaging four pointer per game this season, but tonight he more than quadrupled his average.
Rudy Gay caught fire late in this game and would put the game away with excellent play. Gay scored 20 points in what turned out to be a very nice game from him. Isaiah Thomas was also strong for the Kings. He also scored 20 points and would put the final dagger in the Knicks tonight as he scored the final two points for the Kings. Thomas wasn’t really dominate tonight, but he had a very patient yet solid game. Both Gay and Thomas played great late. They were able to make plays for the Kings which helped get the win.
The Knicks were downright awful late in this game. The offense was congested and there was absolutely no space. The only thing New York had going for them was the play of Carmelo Anthony, but his extended play would lead to fatigue that he couldn’t overcome. Anthony did score 36 points, but it wasn’t enough.
Amare Stoudemire was strong off the bench as he scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He played really well and really looks much better since coming back from the ankle injury.
Both Anthony and Stoudemire were strong focal points at times in this game, but late both were quiet.
Tyson Chandler was also strong early on as the Knicks found him for countless dunks. The Kings did adjust and took the lobs away and that led to zero output on offense by Chandler. He did score 17 points before he cooled off.
This was a very bad loss by the Knicks. They continue to struggle as a team and do so as the pressure continues to mount. With the All-Star break now starting it will be very important to watch what the Knicks do with Mike Woodson. Knicks owner James Dolan has said that Woodson wouldn’t be fired, but with the team struggling it is possible that that changes.
JR Smith did not play tonight after suffering a small fracture in his left cheek. Smith was scheduled to play, but the mask he had didn’t fit comfortably enough for him to play. Also Iman Shumpert left with a strained left hip flexor. Shumpert did walk off under his own power, but he walked very slowly to the locker room.
The Knicks will come out of All-Star break and immediately be on the road as they face the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans.
This was simply a very bad loss by the Knicks and a solid win by the Kings.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
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