New York Knicks lose battle vs. Nets but not the war for New York

The New York Knicks overcame a 19-point deficit in Brooklyn but fell apart down the stretch to the Nets.

The New York Knicks traveled across the bridge to face their crosstown rival, the Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately, in regular Knicks fashion, they couldn’t close out the fourth quarter and hold on to the game.

The Knicks had not led since it was 2-0 in the first seconds of the game. Two costly turnovers and a Kyrie Irving clutch shot turned what should have been a Knicks win into a win for Brooklyn 109-113.

There was no starter drama for this game. It was evident that Elfrid Payton‘s stock had risen since the first game of the season against the Spurs. David Fizdale started the newcomer at point guard, and the matchups were as follows: Payton vs. Kyrie Irving; RJ Barrett vs. Caris LeVert; Marcus Morris vs. Joe Harris; Julius Randle vs. Taurean Prince; and Mitchell Robinson vs. Jarrett Allen.

In the first quarter the Nets defense was tight. Not one Knick had more than six points at the end of the quarter. With the poor shooting came poor defense and although the score at the end of the first quarter showed only a nine-point difference, it didn’t show the poor shooting and turnovers. It didn’t show that the Knicks had no answer for Irving, Prince, and LeVert, who seemed to shoot the three at will.

Then, there was Joe Harris, spreading the floor and joining in with his teammates for more killer threes. For the Knicks, Kevin Knox II did come in and hit two catch-and-shoot three-pointers.

Fizdale put his second team in which consisted of Trier, Portis, Knox II, and Smith, Jr. keeping Morris in. The Nets took control, shooting threes and causing turnovers. By the end of the first quarter, there were no Knicks in double figures, and the highest total was from Knox, who hit two catch and shoot three-pointers to keep us in the game, Along with Trier, who had twelve points. Although the score didn’t show it, the Knicks shot 70 percent from three-point range during this quarter.

The second quarter started with Fizdale putting in the same players who ended the first quarter. Nets were getting to the basket at will. They opened the quarter with a 12-0 run in the first 1:57 causing Fizdale to call an immediate timeout. Irving continued to have his way because we were not stopping the threes and not making any free throws. Besides a minor scuffle between Portis and Prince, where both men were given technicals, the half ends with the Knicks down 51-64.

Unfortunately, the third quarter starts out the same. Knicks are not playing defense at the basket or perimeter and Prince is raining threes. Turnovers and missed free throws continued on the side of the Knicks. The Nets got to their biggest lead of 19 points between the end of the second and third quarters.

Knicks not seeming to understand that foul shots are very important and should always be made. During this game, the Knicks missed 14 free throws. Mind you, they only lost by six. Thankfully they close out the quarter on a 10-4 run and win the quarter 32-30. That was mainly thanks to Alonzo Trier who ended the game with 22 points.

Knicks make an 18-5 run in the fourth, leading at one time by six points. Knox II and Wayne Ellington start putting up threes. But then, of course, Irving stepped in to save the day with a clutch two and three, as Randle and Ellington came up with two costly turnovers that take the game from us.

Three Stars:

1. Alonzo Trier played 23 minutes, had 22 points from 6 of 7 field goals; 3 of 4 from three-point range and 7 of 11 in free throws.
2. Kevin Knox II has really taken to the catch and shoot for his threes. He also had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, and 1 block.
3. Kyrie Irving had 26 points on 8 for-19 shooting; 2-for-8 from long distance, and 8-for-8 at the free throw line.

• R J Barrett had a somewhat quiet night, with 16 points, 3 rebounds, three assists, and five turnovers, but continued to show his strength in the paint.
• Marcus Morris contributed 11 points and one block.
• Mitchell Robinson returned to the starting lineup with 6 points, 7 rebounds, one assist and 3 turnovers.
• Julius Randle didn’t have a great night, with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls and six turnovers, including the one that sealed our loss.
• Damyean Dotson, Frank Ntlikina and Ignas Brazdeikis did not play due to coach’s decision.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the New York Knicks have their home opener against another longstanding rival, the Boston Celtics.