The New York Knicks fell on a game-winning shot to the Brooklyn Nets, but there were still takeaways to pull from this close matchup.
The New York Knicks looked for their second win of the young season, but came up short against a Brooklyn Nets squad that sunk a game-winning layup to win 107-105. That was after a second-half run by players like Tim Hardaway Jr., Enes Kanter and Kevin Knox.
This sent the Knicks to 1-1 and showcased some of the faults from the preseason, along with a few positives. It all must be consumed before Saturday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.
So what takeaways were left from this two-point loss to Brooklyn? Let’s take a look:
TIMMY. SHIMMY. pic.twitter.com/PsEsVruA4v
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2018
3. Persistent scoring difficulties
The New York Knicks have primary scorers to lead the way in 2018-19. That’s not the issue. Where they find scoring afterward will become a season-long arc as the games pass by.
Kanter and Hardaway Jr. will find their buckets, as proven by the first two games, especially Friday. They combined for 58 points, 29 per player, while only one other crossed double-digit points against the Nets.
Kanter finds his opportunities around the basket on tip-ins or putbacks from missed shots. It’s what provided a 12-for-18 line for efficiency, along with 10 rebounds to mark a second consecutive double-double.
Hardaway barely missed his season-opening line of 31 points. This game was on more shot attempts, but he needs to take the most shots with few scoring options on the roster. Knox has the ability to become one of them, but that won’t happen consistently immediately.
After them, the Knicks will have to wait and see who else adds to the stat sheet. Some nights it will be Allonzo Trier, who went 2-for-8 versus the Nets. Others will find Frank Ntilikina in a larger role, and he had one seven-point streak that ended his offensive production.
It’s early, and someone might take the pressure off Hardaway and Kanter, but it may take a long road to find this.