Post Game Reaction: Knicks 110 Sixers 109
The New York Knicks were back in action tonight against a division rival in the 76ers. The Knicks won this game 110-109. But throughout most of the game it looked like an easy win for the Knicks but the Sixers really made it interesting at the end and Melo needed to hit a game-winner to win the game with 0.3 seconds left. Overall the Knicks played smart and effective tonight. They moved the ball on offense and packed the paint on defense. This was a good win by the Knicks and also lets them stay ahead of the Sixers, who would have passed the Knicks in the standings with a win. Lets break it down.
GAME. #NYKvsPHI #Knicks pic.twitter.com/0P1uKdrmq5
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 26, 2017
The Knicks were led by Melo, who was on fire right from the start. He scored 16 in the 1st and finished with 37pts and the game-winner. The Sixers struggled to contain him and they don't have the perimeter defenders to guard Melo and so he had a very easy time getting to his spots. Rose chipped in 18pts to provide the needed help that Melo needed tonight. Overall the Knicks got good contributions from Lance Thomas 11pts 6rebs, Hernanagomez 11pts 9rebs, O'Quinn 9pts 5rebs 5asts 5stls and Holiday 14pts 7rebs. For the Sixers they were led by Saric with 19pts 15rebs, Okafor with 28pts 10rebs and Covington with 20pts 10rebs.
The difference in this one was that the Sixers could not hit from the perimeter. The Knicks did a great job of packing the paint and forcing the Sixers to beat them with the jumper. They made only 7-31 threes and shot 42% from the field. The Knicks also slowed the game down and limited the transition offense from the Sixers. This forced them in the half-court and they struggled to run their offense. They had 56 paint points and it looked like that was the only way they could score. It became real obvious that the Sixers wanted no part from the perimeter and the Knicks took advantage of that. The Knicks need more efforts like this on defense. On defense you want to force the opponents out of their comfort zone. Tonight they did a great job making the Sixers beat them from the perimeter.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks also were inconsistent on offense as they struggled from three as well as they made 6-21, while shooting 47% from the field. The difference is the Knicks have a few guys, who can get their own shots in Melo and Rose. Their ability to score in the half-court made all the difference. Tonight you also saw a different game plan as the Knicks played slower and used more pick and roll action, while incorporating more triangle principles. They ran a lot of things out of the post and you saw lots of cutting action.
Last 5 min of 4th. The Knicks nearly blew this game. They were up 103-91 with 5 minutes left and things just fell apart. This looked like a done deal as the Knicks were up as many as 17 points in the 3rd. But the Sixers went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 3pts and then even took the lead with 9 seconds left on a hook shot by Okafor. Trailing 109-108, Melo had to hit a tough step back jump shot to get the win for the Knicks. It should not have been that hard but the Knicks just fell asleep and nearly let the Sixers steal another game from them.
Carmelo Anthony x Game Winner vs PHI - Feb 25, 2017 #clutch pic.twitter.com/RyxN3Tz5CA
— Cedric Molina Gomez (@thecedmamba) February 26, 2017
Overall the Knicks played a very good game. The offense was choppy at times but the intensity on defense was there all throughout the game. The defense looked sharp but things do get easier when a team cannot shoot from the outside. But the intensity they brought tonight is something they must bring going forward. With a win tonight one can hope it helps start a little winning streak that could vault them back into the playoff hunt. Only time will tell if that happens.
