The New York Knicks never stood a chance in a runaway game against the Utah Jazz, 137-116.
There are some games on an NBA schedule that teams can circle as “wins” or “losses.” The Utah Jazz fit the latter for the New York Knicks, after a holiday annihilation in late December that gave head coach David Fizdale’s squad one of its worst of the season.
So why would anything change in Wednesday night’s rematch?
The Knicks were doomed from the start. No Allonzo Trier, Dennis Smith Jr., Kadeem Allen, Allonzo Trier or Frank Ntilikina. Basically, the Knicks were without a backcourt, aside from Damyean Dotson and Emmanuel Mudiay.
The absence of players and talent differential were there, from start to finish. Utah had no hesitation to balloon the box score immediately. That was with 39 and 35 points in the first and second quarters, respectively. The Knicks came back with 32 in the third, but not enough from Utah’s 35.
By the final period, even with the Knicks inching into the deficit, it was too little, way too late, ending a nightmare start to the team’s longest home stretch of the season.
Positives, though, right?
Kevin Knox had, probably, one of his best games of the season. He had 27 points and eight rebounds on 10-for-17 shooting. Fizdale played him an absurd 45 minutes, which continued the questionable use of a young player that has been thrown into the fire since December.
Mitchell Robinson was given the bulk of the center minutes, while DeAndre Jordan only played 18 minutes. That resulted in a productive 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks to four fouls. On a miserable night in New York City, it was good enough.
Mitchell Robinson now has 135 blocks on the season, establishing a new franchise rookie record. Previously held by Kristaps Porzingis (134).
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 21, 2019
Otherwise, this was a game that had the white flag waived before halftime, defensively. The Knicks never stood a chance against a team that’s head and shoulder above them and played with some semblance of intensity. Absent of players or not, this was not the case on the other side.
These asinine scoring differentials might not disappear, either. The following teams remain on the schedule:
- Denver Nuggets
- Detroit Pistons
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Toronto Raptors
For the others, the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic both have something to play for, with the eighth seed on the line. The Chicago Bulls already defeated New York this season. Even the lowly Washington Wizards have dominated the Knicks.
- Mario Hezonja had a season-high 23 points. For his future, this was a good night.
- Amazingly, the Knicks shot 52.3 percent from the field and made 13 three-pointers. Utah made 56.5 percent of their shots and 20 three-pointers.
- Donovan Mitchell had 30 points in 28 minutes.
- Henry Ellenson showed something off the bench, with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes.
- Damyean Dotson had 21 points and controlled the minutes at shooting guard, aside from John Jenkins spell.
Damyean Dotson has hit at least three three pointers in six straight games. He’s the first Knick to accomplish the feat since JR Smith in 2013-14 and fifth all-time.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 21, 2019
The New York Knicks will face the Nuggets on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET.