NY Knicks: What a scene at Madison Square Garden as Linsanity continues to reign at the world’s most famous arena. In the first quarter the Knicks were clicking on all cylinders. Newly acquired JR Smith started his career as a Knick with back to back three’s. At one point it looked as if the Knicks were going run away with the game, ending the quarter on an eleven-nothing run.
But it was only a matter of time before the Mavericks would get things going in the 2nd quarter with their own eight-nothing run to close within four points with 5:24 left in the quarter. But the Knicks were able to withstand the run, never relinqiushing the lead. Jermey Lin would finish with 12 points and 6 assists in the first half, leading 48 to 45 at halftime.
At the beginning of the third quarter the Mavericks started to show why they are considered one of the elite teams in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki started to take over from downtown; he was fouled on one of his attempts for a four-point play. The Maverick would push the lead to 12 points in the quarter, quieting the capacity crowd and making it difficult for the Knicks to get an offensive flow.
With the game tied at 74 to begin the fourth quarter, the game was up for grabs. It would come down to who wanted it more. It seems that the Knicks wanted it more as their offense caught fire. Steve Novak was on fire from down with 4 consecutive 3-pointers, pushing the Knicks lead to eight with 6:06 left.
What a game down the stretch as the Knicks showed that with defense and rebounding you can beat anyone in this league. You gotta believe in Jeremy Lin: he did it against the best in the league, the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, 104 to 97 in the final.