The start to this 2014-15 season has not been as expected for the New York Knicks. Coming into the game on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic, the Knicks were on a 5 game losing streak. Madison Square Garden also hasn’t been the home court advantage it was in years past. The Knicks were (1-3) at home before playing the Magic, and equally as bad on the road (1-3). New York on their 3 game road trip, lost every game and didn’t look good in doing so. So playing the (2-6) Orlando Magic on Wednesday was supposed to be a bounce back win in the Garden.
The Knicks had trailed 56-50 at half to the Magic. Knowing the Knicks struggles coming out slow in the 2nd half, it looked like this game might take a turn towards a blowout. But for once, the Knicks came out the gate fighting, and eventually ended the 3rd quarter with a 76-74 lead. The problem however was in the fourth quarter. The Knicks could not sustain a sizeable lead, and the Orlando Magic took advantage of that. Led by 2nd year guard Evan Fournier, the Magic would go on to win 97-95. Fournier ended the game with 28 points with 4 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Nikola Vucevic also was a force down low, scoring 20 points and had 13 rebounds. The defense of the Knicks big men has been subpar, and Vucevic feasted on their weakness in the paint.
Carmelo Anthony had another good night for the Knicks, adding 27 points and 5 rebounds. He only had 1 assist this game though, and the Knicks need him to both score and hit the open man if they are going to get out of this 6 game losing streak. New York has proven that they can’t win without his scoring, and also without his dishing. Iman Shumpert cooled down from his stellar play all year. He ended with only 10 points, but added 8 rebounds and 3 assists. JR Smith arguably had his best game of the year with 19 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. The Knicks will need him off the bench, because Anthony can not handle the full scoring load on his own. He even had a chance to win the game with the game hanging in the balance, but airballed the deep game winning three point attempt. Jason Smith added 10 points as well, consistently hitting the open mid range jumper.
For the first time, the Knicks defended the three point line, limiting the Magic to just 6-12 from behind the arc. They even held the Magic to just 47% shooting from the field (33-70). But the problem all year has been the Knicks foul way too much. Wednesday night’s contest was no different. The Magic went 25-32 from the free throw line, and you just can’t win games if you spot a team 25 points. Coach Fisher is going to need to find a way to get through to his team that they need to play defense without fouling. 27 personal fouls by the Knicks is almost laughable. They need to find an answer fast, because the (3-6) Utah Jazz come into town Friday coming off losses to Indiana and Atlanta. The contest between the Jazz and the Knicks will be Utah’s 4th game out of a 5 game road trip.
Barry Holmes/Pure Sports NY