Final Score: New York Knicks 90 Atlanta Hawks 100
You cannot win them all, as the Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks by 10 tonight. The Knicks came out sluggish and flat early and just were not able to get over the hump. With the loss tonight the Knicks drop back .500 at 26-26.
-Magnificent Melo
Carmelo Anthony did his part again carrying the Knicks on offense, scoring 36 points while adding 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Anthony was also able to capitalize on his free throw attempts, going 13-14 from the foul line. Anthony also did not disappoint on the defensive end. He ended the game with 5 steals and 2 blocks, constantly pressuring his man.
-Shumpert Turning a Corner?
Carmelo Anthony was not alone in the offense tonight, as Iman Shumpert put up 25 points to go along with his always suffocating defense. There was not much help outside Shumpert for Melo, but he did a great job playing Anthony’s wingman. Shumpert has been showing much more confidence in his jump shot, going 3-5 from the 3 point line tonight. Allan Houston has been working with Shumpert on his jump shot, and it seems to paying off. If Shumpert can continue knocking down his jumper, he will become that much more dangerous of a player and would definitely be the steal of the 2011 draft.
-How hurt is Baron Davis?
Baron Davis against struggled tonight, and it was evident that his hamstring is hurting him badly. Davis was forced to the locker room to get his leg re-wrapped, but he was in obvious pain even after getting the new wrap. Davis lacked mobility and the injury was affecting his playmaking, as he made numerous bad passes and turned the ball over 4 times. The Knicks need to figure out a plan to get Davis healthy because he is only hurting the team with his current play because he is hurt.
-Where was the D?
The Knicks struggled on defense tonight, missing multiple assignments and using questionable double teams. They were not attacking screens as they have been and were slow on some rotations. It started with Landry Fields in the beginning of the game, who was toasted by Joe Johnson multiple times in the first quarter. J.R. Smith was inserted shortly after, and was in foul trouble throughout the game and missed his first 7 shot attempts. Smith was no better on Johnson as he finished the game 28 points.
Steve Novak also struggled on defense tonight, getting torched by everyone he guarded. He started off on Josh Smith, and was quickly moved after multiple baskets by Smith. He was then switched onto Willie Green, who went off as well. Green shot 8-9 and scored 20 points off the bench. Green totaled only 20 points in his last 6 games played.
The effort was lacking tonight on the defensive end, but thankfully for the Knicks they will not have too long to stew on this loss. The Knicks are back at it tomorrow night at the Garden against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 P.M. ET.
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