• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Knicks came into Wednesday night, fresh off a 102-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons. This was the second double digit loss suffered by New York this season. The Knicks looked to right the ship against the Houston Rockets, in Madison Square Garden. However, New York was unable to pull out a victory Wednesday night. Here are four of the biggest takeaways from the Knicks’ 118-99 loss to Houston.

4) Rose Garden 

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Rose has played well since joining the Knicks this season.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Rose has played well since joining the Knicks this season.
  • Derrick Rose played well against Houston, and traditionally Rose has put up big games in the Garden. Rose did a great job of attacking the rim hard and making some acrobatic finishes. New York is going to need Rose to continue to push the ball and create fast break opportunities. Rose’s penetration can wear out opposing defenders, and put rim protectors in foul trouble.
  • Rose finished with 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
  • This game Rose shot a season high 18 shot attempts.
  • Rose has been consistently producing in each game this season. The shot selection is questionable at times with Rose, but he has proven he is still a relentless scorer with a lot left in the tank.

3) Inability to Control the Paint

  • Whoever controls the paint generally comes out on top. Houston out-scored the Knicks, 50-42 from the paint. Montrezl Harrell made a huge contribution off the bench towards the interior domination.
    • Harrell finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and one steal.
  • Houston out-rebounded New York, 66-45. Rebounding is a key to winning basketball games, and New York got out worked Wednesday night.
    • The Rockets did a great job of limiting second chance opportunities. Houston out-rebounded the Knicks 35-27 on the defensive boards and 19-7 on the offensive glass.

2) The Harden and Gordon Show

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Harden and Gordon combined for 51 points Wednesday night.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Harden and Gordon combined for 51 points Wednesday night.
  • The Knicks all night could not stop James Harden. Harden did whatever he wanted offensively, and was also able to create quality shot opportunities for his teammates.
    • Harden finished with 30 points, 15 assists, and 2 steals.
  • Eric Gordon also was able to have his way against the Knicks. Gordon isn’t as flashy as Harden, but showcased a nice offensive skill set Wednesday night.
    • Gordon finished with 21 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

1) Defense is a major concern

  • It could be growing pains, but this Knick team right now is awful defensively. The backside and help defense has been pretty much non existent for New York.
  • The Knicks allowed the Rockets to score 68 points going into halftime, and 118 for the game. The Knicks do not have the tools to go out and just out-score opponents. Coach Jeff Hornacek is going to have to make some adjustments to fix this team’s defensive issue.
    • The Rockets shot 47% (42-89) from the field, including 37.5 % (15-40) from downtown.
  • The Knicks have now failed to hold each opponent this season to under 100 points.

Overtime

 

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Wednesday night is the second time this season Noah has been held scoreless.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY) Wednesday night is the second time this season Noah has been held scoreless.
  • Joakim Noah had his second scoreless performance of the season. Noah finished with just two rebounds and four assists.
  • Noah only played 18 minutes in last night’s game.
    • It seemed like Coach Hornacek had benched Noah in the second half, due to the fact he only played eight second half minutes.

Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732

(Featured Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY)

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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