Knicks Start New Year Off With WORST Fourth Quarter in Franchise History….

On New Year Day the New York Knicks visited the United Center for a rematch with the Chicago Bulls.

Last time these two teams faced off, New York had the advantage of facing a tired Bulls team. Chicago was beaten and battered, coming off a quadruple overtime loss against the Detroit Pistons, and New York won easily 107-91.

Things would be different this time around besides just the fatigue factor, as the Bulls played with Pau Gasol Friday night; who had to rest due to the quadruple overtime game. Although Chicago was without Derrick Rose due to right hamstring tendinitis.

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The Knicks in a blink of an eye were down 11-0, missing their first-ten attempts from the field in the game. Blink again and New York were down by 17 points; due in large part to Nikola Mirotic‘s hot outside-shooting. Mirotic knocked down back-to-back threes to give Chicago a 23-6 lead with 4:23 remaining in the first quarter. The 6’10” Montenegrin forward scored 11 of his 17 points in the opening period. Mirotic also helped facilitate the offense well for the Bulls, finishing the game with a career high 7 assists.

New York was able to cut the early large deficit down to ten points, led by Carmelo Anthony; who after missing his first-four attempts from the field, converted on his next five. Anthony finished the game with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assits.

Although the Bulls quickly responded, and in another blink of an eye Chicago pushed their lead back up to 17 points.

After the spectacular alley-opp dunk by Jimmy Butler, New York answered with a 12-1 run to finish the first half, cutting the deficit to 56-50 at halftime. Three-point shooting really helped trim down the deficit for New York in the run, the Knicks knocked down four three-pointers in the second quarter.

New York came out lackluster in the second half, prompting head coach Derek Fisher to call a quick timeout as the Bulls pushed their lead back up to double-figures. Whatever Fisher said, worked. The Knicks went on a 17-5 run coming out of the timeout to lead 67-65 midway through the third quarter.

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Unfortunately, New York’s lead would be short-lived as Chicago would regain a double-digit advantage early in the fourth quarter. The Knicks’ deficit would balloon to as many as 27 points, with the Bulls getting hot from downtown. Chicago drilled four three-pointers in the final period of the game, including a 35-footer from Mirotic.

Doug McDermott knocked down three triples in garbage time to rub salt into the Knicks’ wound, finishing the game with 13 points. Chicago knocked down ten three-pointers  Friday night, converting on 62.5% of their attempts.

The Bulls showed why they are the best defensive team in the league, holding the Knicks to 10.5% shooting in the fourth quarter. Allowing New York to only convert on two field goals in the final period. The eight points scored in the fourth quarter by the Knicks was the worst in franchise history!

Kristaps Porzingis was one of those Knicks that really struggled, missing double-digit attempts… with 4/14 shooting. Although Porzingis did not struggle as much as Arron Afflalo, as the starting shooting guard was a -34 +/- Friday night! Afflalo was playing so poorly, Fisher did not hesitate to take him out of the game in favor of Lance Thomas.

Porzingis actually did show more glimpses of his potential, including a nice hook-shot late in the game. Porzingis also showed some great passing ability off the high-post early in the game, unfortunately his teammates could not handle the ball… and winded up turning the ball over.

Next: Knicks interested in bringing Jimmer Fredette up to the main roster.

Losing 108-81 to the Bulls was probably not what the Knicks had in mind to start the New Year… but New York can redeem themselves Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks. It will be the first game of a home-and-home match-up.