NY Knicks: The Knicks played the Milwaukee Bucks at The World’s Most Famous Arena last night. The Knicks are leading the Bucks by a game and a half in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Reports are in from the Knicks training camp that Amar’e Stoudemire will be out indefinitely with a bulging disk in his lower back. It’s bad news for the Knicks as they try to keep pace in the division. A loss to the Bucks gives them the advantage if both teams are tied, at the end of the regular season.
It was an ugly game from the start as both teams shot below 40% from the field in the first half. It was evident that the Knicks miss Jeremy Lin and what he brings to the floor with too much one-on-one and players standing around watching other players jack up shots. Milwaukee’s bench was key in the second quarter, led by former Duke Blue Devil Mike Dunleavy who was on fire scoring 24 points in the first half.
New York’s only offensive threat was Carmelo Anthony, shaking off a slump and providing that much-needed offensive punch. Melo was twelve-for-twelve from the line with a game high of 28 points. Melo told reporters he felt compelled to provide more offense last night with both Jeremy and Amar’e being out due to injury.
The Knicks won for the seventh time in eight games despite shooting just 35 percent, while Milwaukee lost for only the third time in its past 10. The Bucks had won five straight road games and suffered a rare loss at Madison Square Garden, where they had won six of seven. The final score was 89 to 80.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY