The New York Knicks started off Saturday night strongly, much like their miserable loss to the Brooklyn Nets Friday night.
New York got out to an early 14-1 lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who missed their first eight field goals to start the game. The Knicks led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter.
Robin Lopez led the charge with 16 points and 7 rebounds in the opening period! Lopez DESTROYED the slender Gorgui Dieng, overpowering his skinny frame in the post – converting on 7/9 from the field in the first quarter.
.@rolopez42 on 🔥 to start here in MIN! RoLo w/ 6p (3-3 FG) to fuel the #Knicks 11-1 lead. #NYKvsMIN pic.twitter.com/PYNbL35ddQ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 21, 2016
Behind Lopez’s spectacular play, New York led by 31-16 after one-quarter of play. The Knicks held the Timberwolves to 25% shooting in the first quarter, although it was more due to the poor-play of Minnesota than anything else.
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In the second quarter, Karl-Anthony Towns scored six straight points in a 8-0 Minnesota run to cut the Knicks’ lead down to 39-27 with 7:32 remaining in the first half. The period though was highlighted by a Carmelo Anthony and Shabazz Muhammad duel, the two kept going at each other. It seemed like they were they only players scoring in the middle of the second quarter. Muhammad scored ten of his 20 total points in the period, while Anthony scored nine of his game high 30 points in the period.
.@carmeloanthony now in double figures w/ 10p. #Knicks own a 49-40 lead w/ 3:10 to go in the half. #NYKvsMIN pic.twitter.com/8WcJAdvoxP
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 21, 2016
Anthony’s strong second quarter though was overshadowed by Arron Afflalo, who scored all of his game total 11 points in the period. Afflalo ended the first half with back-to-back three-pointers, keeping the Timberwolves at bay as intermission was approaching. New York led 59-48 at halftime.
The game Saturday night was very reminiscent of Friday night, when the Timberwolves stormed back to within six points early out of halftime. Andrew Wiggins scored seven straight points in a 9-0 run, which was highlighted by a fantastic alley-opp dunk. Wiggins finished the game with 24 points.
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On Friday, New York folded as Brooklyn came back. They would not repeat that Saturday night, showing great resilience by going on a massive run – growing their lead to as many as 24 points early in the fourth quarter. It was great to see the Knicks respond positively after losing their large lead, and fight back to reclaim it, instead of what happened against the dam… Nets…
Minnesota made a little run in the fourth quarter but ultimately never really challenged the Knicks’ lead at any time. New York basically cruised to a 103-95 victory over the Timberwolves, ending a seven game losing streak!
The inconsistent play of Minnesota’s young backcourt was what cost the Timberwolves the game. The duo of Wiggins and Zach LaVine was a combined 3/12 in the crucial third quarter, where the Knicks pulled away.
New York Knicks
Lopez collected his seventh double-double of the season, finishing the game with 26 points and 16 rebounds. The 26 points tied his season high in points for the season. With how astonishing Lopez’s play was, I believe that the Knicks should maybe look to give him the ball more in the post going forward.
Although, Lopez got more opportunities of offense because rookie Kristaps Porzingis only played in a dozen minutes in Saturday night’s game, finding himself plagued with foul trouble for much of the game.
Towns easily won the battle Saturday night for Rookie of the Year Award, finishing the game with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
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The Knicks look to continue the good vibes, but will run into the Atlantic Division leader Toronto Raptors Monday night. It will be very difficult to stay on the winning column with the Raptors coming to town, but at least Toronto will be on a second night of a back-to-back game since they have a Sunday night game against the Memphis Grizzlies.