‘Let’s Go Heat’ Chants in MSG as the Knicks Loss 98-81

The New York Knicks continue to have their ups and downs this season… after a great team win against the Orlando Magic Friday night in which seven players scored in double-figures, Sunday night the team came down to Earth.

New York had a horrendous start to the game, coming out of tip-off completely lethargic. Their first-nine possessions ended in five misses, and three turnovers… The Miami Heat led by double-digits four minutes into the game.

What might be even more unsettling… was the fact that “let’s go Heat” chants started up in Madison Square Garden… They were quickly subdued… but wow… REALLY!?

Although, the Knicks only faced a 23-19 deficit after one-quarter of play, thanks in large part to Robin Lopez. Lopez was an offensive rebounding machine, with New York shooting 37.5% in the first quarter. The big man grabbed five offensive rebounds in the opening quarter, leading to nine second chance points by the Knicks. Lopez also scored eight of his 14 total points in the first quarter.

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Unfortunately, the Knicks wasted Lopez’s effort by allowing another large run to start the second quarter… as Miami went on a 14-2 run to start the period. The Heat led by as many as 16 points mid-way through the second quarter.

The Knicks though were able to get back within reaching distance by halftime, going on a furious 10-1 run to end the first half. Lance Thomas sparked the run with a couple of three-pointers, and Langston Galloway capped it off with an impressive put-back dunk that cut the deficit to 44-39 heading into intermission.

It was like groundhog day in the third quarter, as the Knicks faced a double-digit deficit early on and then came storming back to finish the period, much like the first and second quarter. For most of the quarter it was a duel between good friends, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. Anthony scored nine of his team-high 25 points in the third quarter, while Wade scored ten of his game-high 26 points in the period.

But it was Derrick Williams‘ energy and effort off the bench that got the Knicks back into the game. Williams scored five points in 22 seconds, igniting a 9-2 run to finish the third quarter that got New York within striking distance once again; 69-65.

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The Knicks were gaining momentum but it came down to a crashing halt when a foolish Sasha Vujacic foul from beyond the arc ignited a 11-3 Heat run that gave Miami another double-digit lead. Unfortunately, there would be no more groundhog day for the Knicks this time around, as the Heat grew their lead to as many as 19 points in the final period. Crushing New York 98-81…

There were even more “let’s go Heat” chants as the home fans left the arena early. Knicks fans that stayed, tried their best to drain out the chants with boos. It was disheartening to see…

What was also disheartening and shocking… was that Hassan Whiteside knocked down a few mid-range jumpers… that the Knicks basically dared him to shot. Those jumpers turned a otherwise winnable game to a Heat beat-down Sunday night.

Next: Kurt Rambis Calls Out Kristaps Porzingis’ Shot-Selection

Now what was encouraging to see Sunday night, was that the die-hard Knick fan that asked Kristaps Porzingis to her senior prom the previous game, came back in high spirits. Glad to see that.

The road ahead does not get any easier as the Portland Trail Blazers come into town Tuesday night with the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The starting backcourt score 46 points per game… they will be a handful for the walking corpse of guards the Knicks have…