Wednesday night Madison Square Garden was beaming with excitement as once again the New York Knicks required an extra session to claim a victory. Although this time around only one overtime was needed, instead of the double-overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Martin Luther King Day.
New York came back from a 13 point deficit in the fourth quarter and even momentary held the lead. The deficit was created in the second quarter, as the fourth best defensive team in the league (97.2 opponent points per game) held the Knicks scoreless for six minutes.
The deficit was erased when the Knicks turned the tables on the Jazz, and held Utah to without a field goal for five minutes early in the fourth quarter. New York went on a 10-1 run, capped off by a two-handed dunk by Carmelo Anthony that gave the Knicks a 82-81 lead with 5:11 remaining in regulation.
The end of regulation became a three-point shooting contest, as both teams exchanged bombs from beyond the arc to finish the fourth quarter.
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But it was the Jazz who threw up the last three-pointer as Rodney Hood cut the Knicks’ lead down to one, 97-96 with 10.6 seconds left in regulation. Hood was on fire from beyond the arc all game, knocking down five three-pointers Wednesday night. Hood finished the game with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Clutch shot by @Rodney_Hood to keep the @utahjazz in the game #Crunchtime https://t.co/ZbeEmfuhL4
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 21, 2016
Utah made 11 three-pointers in regulation and New York needed to prevent one more with the score 99-96 with 9.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, rookie Kristaps Porzingis fouled Gordon Hayward as he attempted the game-tying three-pointer. This was also the sixth and final foul for Porzingis, sending the 7’3″ Latvian to the bench as he finished the game with 16 points and 5 rebounds.
Hayward would calmly knock down all three clutch free-throws, sending the game into overtime. Hayward finished the game with 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Anthony started off overtime with a fadeaway jumper that tied him with Larry Bird for 32nd All-Time scoring leader.
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Anthony would finish with a game high 30 points, which gave him sole possession of the 31st All-time leader in scoring spot.
Although it was the Knicks’ hustle on the offensive boards that won them the game in overtime, collecting three offensive rebounds in the extra session. None was bigger than when Derrick Williams collected the offensive rebound and got an and-one layup that gave New York a 111-105 lead with 1:01 left in overtime.
On the following possession, New York would score on another second chance point, as Robin Lopez put-back a Langston Galloway missed layup. Lopez finished the game scoring a season high 22 points, and grabbed 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
New York would make all their necessary free-throws and go on to win the game 118-111. One reason the Knicks struggled Wednesday night was because the bench was almost nonexistent other than Williams. Williams was the only player off the bench to score until the fourth quarter. Williams finished the game with 18 points and was crucial in the victory.
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The Knicks will look to continue their winning ways in MSG, as they take on the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night.