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Game 15: New York Knicks v Denver Nuggets
Predicted Score: 82-104
Actual Score: 96-97
By: Malcolm Merritt
Email: mjmerritt23@gmail.com
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Actual Score: 96-97
With 19 seconds left on the game clock and the Knicks down
by 2, 97-95, Carmelo
Anthony had the ball on the right side of court. He walked up and was
isolated with the ball in his right. He stared down 6’4” Guard Randy Foye and
put him into the post. The clock was winding, and there was no double team on
its way. One shot, and the New York Knicks (3-12)
would go to overtime against the Denver Nuggets
(9-6). It didn’t happen. Carmelo took the shot he had taken so many times,
the turnaround jumper towards the baseline. Then Mike Breen, Knicks’ MSG
play-by-play sports commentator yelled, “BLOCK!” and the clock expired, with
New York finishing a winless road trip and continuing their now, 8-game losing
streak.
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| Wilson Chandler (21) is shown doing what he did throughout the entire night, defend Carmelo Anthony (7). |
The Nuggets were winners of 4 straight coming into this
game. New York battled back after a 13-point deficit but it wasn’t enough
losing 97-95. The last few minutes of the game were a series of great offensive
plays followed by lackadaisical defense. Randy Foye hit a 3-pointer with 4
minutes left to extend the lead to 9-points, which served to be crucial. The
Knicks were not able to close out on the shooters the entire night and it cost
them in the end. But once again that wasn’t the problem. Believe it or not, New
York is currently sporting the league’s 12th ranked defense,
allowing only 98.9 points per game. Their lack of offensive production once
again seemed to be the issue.
Their overall performance from the field was not great. They
shot 41% from the hardwood but only 27.3% from beyond the arc, making 6 of
their 22 attempts.
Anthony played 40 minutes as he shot 36% from the field,
finishing with a game-high 27 points. J.R. Smith had a
cold shooting night, shooting 1-7 from behind the arc. His three-pointer came
late in the fourth quarter in a game where it could have been used much
earlier. Amar’e
Stoudemire continued his bad play from the game against the Clippers. He
finished the game with 4 points and 4 rebounds shooting 2 for 7 from the field.
New York wasn’t able to move the ball around too well either, with the
exception of their point guard Raymond Felton.
They finished with 16 total assists, Felton having 7 of them.
 |
| Felton (2) has passed the ball well recently for the Knicks, but his play has to be contagious if they want success. |
Tim Hardaway
Jr. and Andrea
Bargnani did well. Hardaway Jr. contributed well off the bench with two big
three pointers and Bargnani shot 7-11 finishing with 22 points to add to his
five rebounds and 2 assists. He was thriving off of the pick and roll game with
Felton that seemed to be nonexistent up to this point in the losing streak.
Their contributions were bright spots in a game that seemed dull in a sold out
Pepsi Center.
Ty
Lawson took advantage of New York’s miscues. A common problem with the
Knicks’ defense is that they switch on pick and rolls regularly, creating
mismatches for themselves, often having Bargnani or Martin defending a guard.
Lawson was yet another point guard to play well against them. He tallied 22
points to accompany his 8 assists. Former Knick, Nate Robinson,
who scored 16 points in 18 minutes, backed him up.
New York's problems with switching on defense have been around for over a year now...
5 Nuggets players scored in double figures as they tried to hold the Knicks off.
The Knicks need to look at each game as a new slate. The
effort was shown Friday night but it wasn’t enough, once again. Looking at each
game with fresh eyes and a revitalized energy may be the hardest thing to do
but is completely necessary. Mike Woodson said on the Mike Woodson Show, “We
need to make the simple plays. Yes I made a play designed for Carmelo, but J.R.
Smith was open driving towards the paint. That’s where Shumpert should’ve taken
the opportunity because it was ultimately the win… But I understand, it was a
stressful situation.. With the clock winding down and the game on the line.” He
was referring to Knicks loss to the
Indiana Pacers at home, earlier this month, when they had a
chance to win the game in regulation. Right now every game is becoming more
stressful for New York as the losses pile up. If they take deep breaths, move
and take care of the ball and played solid defense, their clear minds will let
them win games.
Check out the prediction and compare it to this article here!
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