The New York Knicks took on the Atlanta Hawks in their home opener Thursday night.
The Knicks feed Robin Lopez early and often, scoring eight points in the first five minutes of play. Lopez showed his full repertoire, scoring first on a jump hook, and then getting into the paint and fouled on a pick-and-roll with Sasha Vujacic. Lopez would then get to the rim again with a layup and on the following possession knock down a 14-foot jumper. Lopez finished the game with 18 points and 4 rebounds.
After the good start by New York, the Knicks struggled afterwards as the Hawks started to clamped down defensively. Atlanta held New York to 31.8% shooting in the first quarter, going on an 11-2 run to end the opening period to lead 30-20.
The Hawks shared the ball well in the first quarter, collecting eight assist on 12 made field goals. Atlanta was also well-balanced in their scoring with nine Hawks scoring in the first quarter.
The bench, much like the season opener, again got New York back into the game and even gave the Knicks the lead. The second unit went on a 11-0 run to start the second quarter, giving New York a 31-30 lead with 8:18 remaining in the second quarter.
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Atlanta got hot from downtown, connecting on three three-pointers on an 11-2 run to give the Hawks a double-digit lead, 45-35 with 4:46 left in the first half. The Knicks really should know, they need to get a hand up…last season Atlanta was second in three-point shooting at 38%, with the fifth most three-pointers made per game at ten moneyballs per game.
Kyle Korver, swag. #NBAGIF pic.twitter.com/rbUtywJpfI
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2015
Atlanta ended the first half on a mini 6-0 run to lead 61-45 entering intermission. The Hawks had a huge advantage from beyond the arc, connecting on eight three-pointers by halftime.
New York really struggled in the first half, shooting 38.6% from the field. Superstar Carmelo Anthony again struggled, shooting only 3/11 in the first half for seven points. Even with the difficulty scoring, Anthony passed Walt Bellamy on the All-Time scoring list in the first half of Thursday night’s game.
Yet again…much like the season opener, Jose Calderon was getting left in the dust by the opposing point guard… Jeff Teague all by himself went on a 11-2 run to give Atlanta a 79-57 lead with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter. Even when Calderon was substituted out of the game, Teague still made the younger, faster, Grant look silly too…
The bench came in the clutch again for New York, ending the third quarter on a 12-3 run, cutting into the deficit, with the score 84-72 entering the final period of play.
In the fourth quarter though… both of Atlanta’s point guards Dennis Schroder and Teague would continue to parade their way into the paint for layups, making for an uncompetitive finish to the game. Atlanta ruined New York’s home opener, defeating the Knicks 112-101
There was not much to be encouraged about in the second half, Anthony did get going after a slow first half, so that was a positive. Anthony scored 18 of his game high 25 points in the second half.
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The most spectacular play in the second half was by Porzingis, who stole the ball and then spun around the defender to dunk the ball! It was a nice display of his agility and mobility. Porzingis had an all-around decent game for his debut game at Madison Square Garden, scoring 10 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and getting defensive with a block and 3 steals.
Former-Knick Tim Hardaway Jr.,was traded to the Hawks for Jerian Grant on draft night, who was no where in sight as he received a coach’s decision did-not-play. Porbably safe to say New York won that trade. Grant had a solid game scoring 5 points and dishing out 7 assists in 28 minutes of play.
Atlanta’s point guards had their way with New York, Teague finished the game with 23 points and 8 assists, while Schroder scored 13 points off the bench.
New York will have their hands full Halloween night with another speedy point guard, possibly the fastest point guard in the league…taking on John Wall and the Washington Wizards next.