For these Knicks defending quick, offensive minded point guards has been a major issue. Last night would be no different as Phoenix had Goran Dragic at their disposal. New York did catch a break as electric combo guard; Eric Bledsoe is out 4-6 weeks following surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
New York would use a 15-0 run in the first to open up a double digit first quarter cushion led by Carmelo Anthony’s 13. Early in the second quarter Suns power forward, Markieff Morris was whistled for traveling. He would also pick up a technical foul after disagreeing with the call. Less than three minutes later, Morris was hit with another technical earning him an early exit to the showers.
Throughout the second quarter Phoenix attempted to close the gap. Dragic was nearly unstoppable at times leaving the Knicks dumbfounded with each wide open layup but each time New York had an answer whether it was a beautiful one handed bullet pass from Anthony to Martin for a Garden pleasing stuff or a 10-0 run that included four scores right at the cup. The only negative for New York heading back into their locker room was the buzzer beating 3 pointer Dragic would hit right in front of his teams bench.
That basket seemed to give Phoenix the boost it needed as it came out of the intermission with an 11-2 run over the first, three minutes of action but New York would again answer with a 9-0 run of their own. Fast forward to the fourth where the newly re-acquired Leandro Barbosa would make Madison Square Garden his personal playground torching the Knicks defense on seemingly every foray to the basket netting 14, 4th quarter points catapulting Phoenix to a 5 point lead. New York would show perseverance though refusing to let this game slip away as so many already have this season.
With the shot clock winding down and New York trailing by three points the ball would be in the hands of none other than Anthony. As Melo drove into the paint he was met by a gauntlet of Suns when at the very last moment he seen a wide open Raymond Felton for an uncontested three in the corner. That defensive miscue would not break the spirit of Jeff Hornacek’s club as the aforementioned Barbosa would tie the game after hitting two free throws on a contested foul called on Kenyon Martin with just 1.2 seconds to go. JR Smith would have one last chance to win it in regulation but his shot was long and overtime awaited.
In the extra session it was the K-Mart and Anthony show. First Martin delivered a brilliant alley-oop pass to Melo. Martin added to the slim Knicks lead with a two handed put back jam off a Felton missed jumper. Anthony would finish off the scoring for New York with a beautiful turnaround baseline jumper and the Knicks defense took over from there only allowing Phoenix to score 4 points in the overtime, all from the free throw line.
Final – Knicks 98 Suns 96
NOTES
New York has held each of their last 5 opponents under 100 points.
Phoenix shot just 36% from the field and 23% from distance. Down from 45% and 37% respectively during the season.
The Knicks without Tyson Chandler have out-rebounded their last three opponents. All wins
Wilson Caicedo: PureSportsNY