New York Knicks: Grades and reactions from 21-point loss to Bucks

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 21: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reaches for the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 21, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 21: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reaches for the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 21, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New York Knicks were blown out in consecutive games, with the Milwaukee Bucks dishing out the second loss.

On Saturday, the New York Knicks played the number one team in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks, and were defeated, 123-102. The Bucks played like the NBA’s top squad and the Knicks played, well, like the Knicks. Not the Knicks that were 2-2 on their west coast trip, but the Knicks from a couple of weeks ago. This was the team’s 13th home loss.

They played no perimeter defense. No surprise there. The question is, when will they become a consistent team, playing to win every game no matter the opponent? A team that plays as though they know who they are, and are all about defending their home.

There were only four Knick players in double figures. Only one of them made it to 20. How did it result in the latest player grades?

RJ had a good night. In 33 minutes he had 17 points on 38 percent shooting including three of four from outside and five rebounds.

In 31 minutes, the Knicks’ power forward had 20 points on 9-for-17 shooting and eight rebounds.

Kevin Knox is showing his defensive growth with every game. In 23 minutes, he contributed 19 points on 58 percent shooting, That included 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, four rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. If he continues playing this way, he will indeed become an elite defender.

For the second game in a row, Mitchell Robinson fouled out, with drama. When he fouled out against Miami, the last foul he committed was a flagrant one. On Saturday, he again fouled out in the fourth quarter, but this time he received a technical.

In 22 minutes Robinson had six points, one rebound, one block, and three steals. If this team is to become a winner, its centers must do better than this with rebounds and points.

As the presumptive leader of this team, Marcus Morris, Sr. has to be more consistent with his entire game. In 24 minutes, Morris had 11 points, including 0-for-4 from 3-point range, four rebounds, and three turnovers.

Other Takeaways

  • Elfrid Payton started for the fourth time for the Knicks. In the fourth quarter, he had seven assists. In 27 minutes he made six points, five rebounds, and a total of 10 assists.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double, with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
  • The Bucks went 18-for-43 3-pointers.

The New York Knicks will remain at home on Monday, Dec. 23, with a pre-Christmas matchup against the Washington Wizards.