NEW YORK CITY – Earlier in the season, the Knicks were embarrassed in Oklahoma City, 105-78. There has been a change in competitiveness that can’t be overlooked with this new look New York Knicks team recently. The Knicks had won 3 of their last 4 games coming into Wednesday night’s contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City would be without their superstar Kevin Durant, who missed his 2nd straight game due to a toe injury. With no Durant, it was assumed that Russell Westbrook would step up in the Garden for a big performance.
Westbrook did just that, by causing havoc on Knick defenders all night long. He penetrated into the paint at will, and made some very acrobatic finishes at the rim that were worth noting. However, Westbrook’s 40 point performance would not be enough to stop the surging Knicks. New York would end up winning the game 100-92, to make it 4 wins in their last 5 games.
The defensive intensity has been raised much higher than it had been previously this season. Opponents are not scoring as easily and its shown in the results. The last 5 games, 4 of them the Knicks have not allowed more than 100 points (the one they did allow more than 100 points, they won). This starts with the efforts of Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson who have been in the starting lineup. Galloway’s energy and ability to keep opponents in front of him has sparked the Knicks. Amundson has also done a good job of protecting the rim as well as staying out of foul trouble.
Offensively, this is the best we have seen the Knicks play all season. The ball movement has been great, and in turn the Knicks have been getting better quality shots. Also, the scoring has been more distributed which has made Carmelo Anthony’s return a lot easier. Galloway has really established himself as a solid scorer, and has shown good chemistry playing with Anthony.
Wednesday night, the Knicks were led by Anthony, who finished with a double double (31 points, 10 rebounds). Galloway was next in scoring finishing with 18 points, and Lance Thomas also added 17 points of his own. News has surfaced that Thomas will be signed for the rest of the season alongside Galloway. Their contributions on both ends of the floor, earned them every dollar they will be paid for the remainder of the season.
New York will face their rival Indiana Pacers Thursday night, in the 2nd game of their back-to-back. They will look to build on and continue the defensive pressure that held the Thunder to just 40% shooting and forced 13 turnovers. Offensively, the Knicks will hope to repeat the good ball movement that produced 29 assists as a team against the Thunder. If they can stay consistent, they have a good chance of picking up a road win in Indiana.
Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY