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Knicks Shut Down by the Worst Defensive Team in the NBA… Kings Win 88-80

By William Lee

Mar 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) is defended by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New York Knicks 88-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) is defended by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New York Knicks 88-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports /
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84. Final. 80. 27. 88

Sunday night the New York Knicks played without their superstar Carmelo Anthony, who was out due to a migraine.

And after watching the game against the Sacramento Kings, fans might have a migraine themselves… as the Knicks got blown out right from tip-off in the opening quarter. Shooting 22% from the field on 22 attempts… in the first quarter.

It wasn’t even good defense by the Kings… as they are literally the worst defensive team in the league, allowing 109.6 opponent points per game. While being the sixth-worst in the league at opponent field goal percentage, at 46.4% a night. It is just the fact that New York are that bad on offense… ranking fifth-lowest in points per game (98.8) and field goal percentage (43.9%).

After one quarter of play, New York faced a 28-12 deficit. Darren Collison and DeMarcus Cousins led the way for Sacramento, combining for 17 points in the opening period. The Kings got ahead early behind some outstanding outside shooting, with the duo knocking down three of Sacramento’s five three-pointers in the first quarter.

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The Knicks rallied in the second quarter, behind the strong-play of Jerian Grant off the bench; who scored eight points and had a couple of assists and steals in the period. The Knicks went on a 11-2 run to end the first half, and cut the deficit to one possession; 50-47. New York outscored Sacramento 35-22 in the second quarter.

New York shot above 50% during their comeback in the second quarter, but the third quarter would be more unwatchable basketball… Both teams played poorly coming out of halftime, with the Knicks shooting 28%, and the Kings shooting 36.4% from the field.

Robin Lopez single-handily kept the Knicks in the game in the third quarter, scoring 13 of his team-high 23 points in the period. Lopez was also a beast on the glass Sunday night, collecting a career-high 20 rebounds! It was his 12th double-double of the season.

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New York entered the final period with the game still in reach; 69-65, despite playing awfully… The Knicks stayed close but midway through the fourth quarter, Cousins took over, igniting a mini 7-2 run that gave the Kings a double-digit lead; 88-78 with 2:41 remaining in the game. Boogie started the run by bullying over Lopez for an easy layup, and then capped the run by knocking down a cold-blooded jumper. Cousins finished the game with 24 points and 20 rebounds, his 43rd double-double of the season, as well as his tenth career 20/20 game.

Sacramento went on to win the game 88-80, as New York was held scoreless for the final three minutes, with the exception of a meaningless basket with .5 seconds remaining. The 80 points scored by the Knicks, marks the fewest points allowed by the King all season. New York once again shot below 40% for the third game in a row… shooting 35.2% from the field Sunday night.

Next: Why the Knicks Should Not Give Arron Afflalo a Big Contract

The Knicks looked tired from their road trip. With the next game Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls, it should give them plenty of time to rest. But honestly, this season is done… let’s just start playing all the young guys, and see what we have going forward.

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