Knicks haunted by inability to close games in another inexcusable loss

It seems as if in almost every game the Knicks play, they manage to either blow a lead or just fall apart as the game goes on. Monday afternoon against the Raptors was no different. While the Knicks never had a big-time lead like in previous games, they certainly found a way to blow it all the same.

The game in itself was not strictly negative and the team put up a great effort, but at the end of the day, they must be better in crunch time. This starts with hitting their free throws toward the end of games. So many losses or blown leads this season have come from the fact that the team has failed to hit their free throws toward the end of games.

This matchup against the Raptors was one the Knicks absolutely should’ve come away with, but they simply didn’t due to yet another fourth quarter meltdown.

Knicks’ lack of an ability to close out games haunts them against Raptors

Before I get into the negatives, let’s talk about some of the good things from this game. For starters, RJ Barrett not only had a pretty solid game, but he also hit the biggest shot of the night with his poster dunk on Scottie Barnes to send the game into overtime.

Barrett finished the game with 32 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while shooting 10-of-23 from the field, 2-of-9 from three, and most importantly, 10-of-11 from the free throw line. This was by no means a great game from Barrett as he really struggled at times, but it was nice to see him rack up some big-time points when the team needed him.

Julius Randle had a solid all-around game, not the most efficient like Barrett but he made some big plays to help bring the Knicks closer to winning in overtime. In 42 minutes, Randle racked up 21 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 7-of-20 from the field and 1-of-6 from three. Randle’s steal and layup on the other end to bring New York within four with 40 seconds left in overtime was huge and would help set up an eventual Jalen Brunson game-winning attempt that wouldn’t go in.

Speaking of Brunson, this was a pretty rough game for him, but we can’t be mad at him considering how well he has been playing since the start of 2023. Against the Raptors, Brunson scored 26 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. However, he shot 11-of-29 from the field, 2-of-6 from behind the arc, and worst of all, 2-of-4 from the free throw line including a miss toward the end of the game that in hindsight, would’ve given New York the win.

Some may criticize Brunson for his last second three-point attempt with the Knicks down two, but in today’s league it is always better to go for the win as opposed to heading into another overtime, so I can’t say I’m upset with him. It was a wide-open look that unfortunately didn’t fall, but hopefully the next time Brunson takes a shot like that he will be a little luckier.

This game is just one of many in which the Knicks have fallen apart down the stretch and they must be better. It’s a make-or-miss league and if the Knicks keep blowing games in the fourth quarter, they won’t be the sixth seed for much longer.

The Knicks have their work cut out for them with their upcoming schedule, so hopefully they can get it together and win some big games in order to stamp themselves as a legitimate playoff team in the Eastern Conference.

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