• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Knicks played the Atlanta Hawks twice before coming into Sunday afternoon.  Atlanta beat New York in both of those games, including a 19 point victory in their last meeting. The Knicks were looking for redemption; seeking their first win over the Hawks on the season. New York also looked to rebound back after a poor performance Friday night against the Chicago Bulls. That game the Knicks suffered a 27 point loss in Chicago.

(Credit: Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports)
(Credit: Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports)

Sunday Aaron Afflalo had a 38 point performance, which propelled the Knicks to a 111-97 victory at Madison Square Garden. Afflalo shot an efficient 14 for 17 from the field. This included 7 for 8 from downtown. Afflalo has scored 20 or more points in four games this season, and in those games New York won three. Also, Afflalo broke a streak that lasted three games where he did not score at least 10 points. New York needs his consistent scoring to be competitive on a nightly basis.

Robin Lopez also had a brilliant game for New York against Atlanta Sunday. Lopez tallied 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field, along with 11 rebounds (5 assists) to give him a double-double.

Carmelo Anthony didn’t shoot particularly well (4 for 10) but still filled the stat sheet. Anthony finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals. When Anthony is active on the court aside from scoring, the Knicks have benefited the most this season.

(Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY)
(Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY)

Kristaps Porzingis scored 14 points on 5 for 13 shooting from the field. Porzingis also added seven rebounds and a block in 33 minutes.

In their last meeting, New York’s turnovers (22) and Atlanta’s points in the paint (62) were the deciding factors. This game, New York was able to fix both areas of concern. The Knicks had 16 turnovers this game, and limited the Hawks to 42 points in the paint. New York also as a team shot 50% (44 for 88) from the field, including 42% (11 for 26) from behind the arc. The Knicks as a team also out-rebounded Atlanta (46-32) and notched 27 assists.

New York (16-19) will have it its final match-up against the Hawks (21-14), Tuesday night in Atlanta. The Knicks will look to even the season series at 2 games a piece. A win on Tuesday, will also match the Knicks’ season total from all of last year (17).

Stats Of The Game:

  • Paul Millsap filled the stat sheet as well, tallying 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.
  • Lance Thomas played 27 minutes which was more than two Knick starters (Lopez,24 Jose Calderon,21). Thomas only finished with two points, three rebounds and one assist.
  • The Knicks were a +13 with Derrick Williams (six points, five rebounds & three assists), and a +9 with Jerian Grant (eight points, seven assists, two steals & one block) on the floor.
(Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
(Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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

(Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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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