Grades: Knicks Can Not Overcome Slow Start, Losses to Celtics 108-97
By William Lee
27. 108. 18. Final. 97
Boston stormed out of the gates Tuesday night, the Celtics connected on their first five field goals, including consecutive Marcus Smart three-pointers to lead by 12-2 three minutes into the game. Boston led by as many as 16 points, before New York made a late run to get within four points, but the Celtics immediately responded with a quick 6-0 to push the lead back to double digits and Boston never looked back.
Galloway’s play-making ability got the Knicks back into the game, scoring four points and dishing out three assist to get the deficit to a manageable amount after Boston’s hot start. At the end of the first quarter New York cut the deficit to 26-19 largely due to Galloway’s contributions. Galloway though did not contribute much after the first quarter. <em>Stats – 4 Pts – 2/8FG – 0/5 3pt – 0/0 FT – 5 Reb – 5 Ast – 1 TO – 0 Stl – 1 Blk</em>. G. New York Knicks. LANGSTON GALLOWAY. C+
B. Calderon’s efficient shooting really kept the Knicks in the game, especially connecting on some timely three-pointers that kept the game from being a blowout. <em>Stats 17 Pts – 7/12FG – 3/4 3pt – 0/0 FT – 2 Reb – 2 Ast – 4 TO – 0 Stl – 0 Blk</em>. G. New York Knicks. JOSE CALDERON
D. Boston defended Anthony well Tuesday night, every shot taken was extremely well defended. Besides a strong third quarter in which Melo scored 10 of his 21 points, Anthony really struggled from the field the whole night. <em>Stats – 21 Pts – 9/23FG – 1/5 3pt – 2/2 FT – 6 Reb – 3 Ast – 0 TO – 2 Stl – 0 Blk</em>. F. New York Knicks. CARMELO ANTHONY
D. Amundson’s four turnovers could not make up for all the hustle plays he made, finishing with the worst +/- of the night for New York with a -10 (Anthony had a -10 +/- as well) <em>Stats – 6 Pts – 3/6FG – 0/0 3pt – 0/0 FT – 6 Reb – 1 Ast – 4 TO – 1 Stl – 1 Blk</em>. F. New York Knicks. LOU AMUNDSON
JASON SMITH. B-. Smith had a solid shooting game, punishing the Celtics for leaving him open. Smith also did a good job of getting teammates involved with five assist, but his highlight of the game came mid-way through the third quarter. <a href=. C. New York Knicks
B. The second unit scored 37 points, but more importantly it was the infusion of energy from the bench led by <a href=. . New York Knicks. BENCH