• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Knicks have been struggling, and it hasn’t looked pretty. Coming into Monday night’s contest against the Toronto Raptors, the Knicks had lost 11 of their last 13 games. The frustration by Knick players had been voiced in the media, and can be seen on the court. The same fight and grit that we saw from New York earlier in the year, just is not there at the moment.

This game was close in the first quarter, and New York actually led 28-26 at the end of the quarter. Robin Lopez was active early, and tallied 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting from the field. Lopez has been a bright spot during this rough patch for New York. In the month of February, Lopez is averaging 16.0 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game.

Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY ... Lowry about to warm-up before Monday night's contest.
Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY … Lowry about to warm-up before Monday night’s contest.

The second quarter is where the Raptors imposed their will on the Knicks. Toronto went on to out-score the Knicks 31-15, and took a 57-43 lead at halftime. Kyle Lowry started heating up, by scoring nine points and dishing five assists in the second quarter alone. Lowry’s partner in crime, Demar DeRozan also hurt the Knicks with his hard drives to the basket.

The second half would be no different from the first.

New York still could not find an answer for Lowry and DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas was a monster playing against New York. Valanciunas took Kristaps Porzingis to school for 20 points and six rebounds. The Knicks never seemed to be able to keep Valanciunas (or any Raptor for that matter) out of the paint. Toronto as a team scored an alarming 58 points in the paint, and shot 52% from the field. This ultimately led to a 122-95 loss for New York, despite 10 fourth quarter points from Porzingis.

Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY ... Anthony trying to create off the dribble Monday night.
Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY … Anthony trying to create off the dribble Monday night.

The Knicks will not make the playoffs this year, if they do not start playing defense. New York is letting teams feast in the paint, and are not showing the same gusto on defense like in the beginning of the year. Also, the Knicks are feeling the effects of the lack of bench production. Carmelo Anthony can not carry the scoring load himself. No Knick player had double figures off the bench Monday night. The front office will need to give Anthony a proven second option who will be consistent. Because when Anthony does not score, Monday night proved how ugly it really can get.

New York’s next opponent will the Indiana Pacers (30-26) Wednesday night in Indiana.

Stats Of The Game:

  • New York now holds an 0-8 record when their opponent shoots 50% or better.
  • Lowry recorded a triple double Monday night (22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds).
  • Anthony finished with his 18th double double (23 points and 11 rebounds) on the year.
  • Lopez finished with his 8th double double (21 points and 13 rebounds) on the year.
  • Porzingis tallied 17 points, but just two rebounds Monday night.
  • Toronto had seven players score in double figures, including three that had 20+ points.

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

(Featured Picture Credit: Barry Holmes)

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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