Knicks Pull Out Tough Win Against Celtics in Game One of Playoffs

The New York Knicks Dominated in the Fourth Quarter to Come Away With the Win

By Alexandra Georgette

Despite trailing Boston for the majority of the game, New York pulled out of game one of the first round of the playoffs with a win.  The Knicks beat the Celtics 85-78 in New York on Saturday.

AP Photo/ Kathy Willens

Carmelo Anthony finished the game with 36 points, four steals, and six rebounds.  He started strong, scoring 13 in the first quarter.  For the Celtics, Jeff Green shone:  in 46 minutes, he scored 26 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and blocked three shots—although he also had six turnovers.  Green’s big quarter was the second, where he scored 12 points.

The Celtics led by at least three at the end of each quarter, going into the fourth quarter.  In that last quarter, their offense broke down, and as a team they only scored eight points—the same number of points Anthony scored on his own in that quarter. 

One problem might have been the fact that Green only attempted one field goal and missed—when the leading scorer of the team only gets up one shot in the last quarter, you know something is wrong.

Boston has had a history of difficulties when it comes to closing games out, and that was definitely the case here. A win away would have put the team in much better position than they are now. 

On another note, the Knicks did not play very well on their home court and Boston came very close to winning (even without their most important player, Rajon Rondo, who is still out with a knee injury).  The Celtics were very close to a win and this might remind people not to underestimate Boston.

Paul Pierce chipped in 21points and seven assists (and also turned the ball over six times), while J.R. Smith scored 15 points off the bench for New York.  Brandon Bass pulled down a game high 10 rebounds and Raymond Felton scored 13 points and dished out six assists.

New York led Boston in two important columns in this game: offensive rebounds and turnovers.  The Knicks grabbed ten offensive rebounds and only turned the ball over 13 times—they also stole the ball 15 times.  The Celtics grabbed just four offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 20 times. 

In total, both teams had 40 rebounds and the Celtics led the Knicks 18-13 with assists, but these were just not enough for Boston to keep the lead.

Game two of the series starts at 8pm on Tuesday in New York— right now, the Knicks is the dominant team; if Boston wants any chance of going on to the next round, the team has to be incredibly focused and consistent.

Move Over Kevin Durant

Is Kevin Durant ready to hand his three-time scoring title over just yet?

By Kristina Callahan

Three years in a row.

That’s quite an accomplishment.

AP Photo/ Sue Ogrocki

Three years of maintaining the highest points per game all season. 30.1, 27.7 and 28.0 points per game in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The former Texas Longhorn has been assumed to make it four years in a row this season but in the past week, a new scoring leader has emerged.

Carmelo Anthony is scoring 28.44 points per game compared to Durant’s 28.35 points per game. Pretty close, huh? Anthony took the slight lead over Durant after a win against the Thunder in which he put up 36 points, nine more than Durant’s 27 points.

Part of the reason ‘Melo is leading the three-time scoring leader is because of his unbelievable numbers in the month of April. The former Syracuse Orange is averaging over 41 points per game this month, including games of 50, 40, 41 and 36 points. Anthony has shot 60 percent from the field, including 56 percent from behind the arc.

Durant doesn’t seem to be too concerned at all. Actually, he said that Carmelo can have the scoring title.

“He can have it,” Durant said flatly after OKC’s Thursday morning shootaround.

“I mean the stuff he’s doing right now, every time he touches the ball it looks like it’s going to go in,” Durant said. “He’s having a nice run right now and his confidence is high. I’m sure he’s going to take over. If it happens, cool.”

What would mean more for Durant is an NBA Championship and a ring on his finger. He came close last year before falling to Lebron James and the Heat in the NBA Finals. If Durant weathers ‘Melo’s scoring storm and does end up winning his fourth scoring title, he will join a club with Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain of players to win the scoring title more than three years in a row. That’s quite an accomplishment considering this is just Durant’s sixth season in the NBA.

With the NBA season wrapping up in the next week, it’s inevitable that the scoring title will come down to the final games. Carmelo and the Knicks have six games remaining while Durant and the Thunder have just five games left in the season.

Crazy Statistics Make Up Epic New York vs. Golden State Game

Curry Scores 54, but the Warriors Fall to the Knicks with 28 Rebounds From Chandler and 35 Points from Anthony

By Ali Koskoris

AP Photo/ Frank Franklin II

Tyson Chandler and Stephen Curry lit up Wednesday’s neck-at-neck game in the Garden with their fantastic play.  Chandler pulled down a career-high number of rebounds and Curry scored over half of the Warriors’ points.

Chandler grabbed 17 rebounds and scored 12 points and Carmelo Anthony scored 18 in the first half of the game to keep a three point lead on the Golden State Warriors and counter Curry’s 27 first half points.

Anthony and Curry continued to battle it out offensively in the second half, and Chandler pulled down another 11 rebounds. 

With the game knotted at 105 with about two minutes left in the game, Raymond Felton blocked a shot attempt by Curry, and the Knicks pulled away, scoring on a J.R. Smith (who scored 26) field goal and an Anthony jumper.  The Warriors had no reply, and New York left the building with a win.

Curry’s 54 points is a career high and an NBA high for points in a game by a player this season.  He went 11-13 from downtown and was one 3 away from the NBA record for most 3-pointers in a game.  He has hit 177 this season.  Curry played the whole game.

“We closed out,” Knicks’ coach Mike Woodson said, “We made the defensive stops that we had to make coming down the stretch run… but boy, you gotta tip your hat, Curry’s pretty good tonight.”

Amar'e Stoudemire Returns to the Knicks Lineup

After Receiving Left Knee Surgery, Stoudemire Returns to the Court, Putting up Impressive Numbers Off the Bench

By Ali Koskoris

AP Photo/ Kathy Willens

The New York Knicks have played the first couple months of basketball without their star forward Amar’e Stoudemire.  Stoudemire returned after left knee surgery, playing off the bench, on January 1^st.

Despite the fact that the Knicks have gone 5-6 since Stoudemire has returned, the 30-year-old player has put up impressive numbers for someone recovering from surgery. 

Stoudemire has scored at least 12 points in the last five games and is averaging 16 points and five rebounds in that span.  “I have no worries,” he said, “I keep improving.”  Recently, he shined in a game against Boston, scoring 15 points, pulling down 9 rebounds, and blocking two shots.

Stoudemire has been putting up these numbers while playing, on average, less than thirty minutes per game—meaning he is playing effectively and efficiently.  His rebounds and blocks have not been as high as his usual numbers, and his defense might be a little slower, which might be why head coach Mike Woodson seems to be planning to keep Stoudemire coming off the bench.

Stoudemire will continue to improve and get stronger, and will become New York’s sixth man off the bench.   Somehow, despite his numbers, the Knicks have not been winning as much, so his teammates need to get used to him being back in the rotation, especially because Stoudemire is not playing with all of the same players that he started with before the injury.

Overall, though, Stoudemire’s return can only help the Knicks, who are first in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Pacers Fall Short for Best Week Ever

After beating the Heat and the Knicks, the Pacers lose to the Nets

By Doug Knopf

AP Photo/ Darron Cummings

What a week it was for the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers went on a four-game winning streak beating the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks. They just could not finish the amazing run off with a win at Brooklyn. This streak of wins did a lot for Indiana and shook up the whole conference.

A key to the Indiana run was Paul George who finally received attention for his work on the court after dropping 24 on the Knicks and 29 on the Heat; keep in mind he was being guarded by Lebron James, one the best defenders in the league. His emergence adds one more star into the Eastern Conference and one more threat people have to look out for. Ultimately, his play has pushed Indiana into the third seed overall and into first place in the Central Division.

The Pacers impress people; they are like the little engine that could. When a tough test comes around, they always step up. A month ago it was David West, now it is Paul George. Once Danny Granger gets back, this team could pose a serious threat to anyone’s championship thoughts.

“They are for real,” said Tyson Chandler after his game with the Pacers on Thursday.

Beating the Heat and the Knicks (without Carmelo) is voice enough. People now know who they are. The Indiana Pacers play nitty gritty basketball and will fight in every game they play. Going 7-3 in their last 10 games, the Indiana Pacers, now 23-15, should not be trifled with.

Knicks Start the Season With Four Straight Wins

Carmelo Anthony Leads the Knicks to a Strong Start

By Ali Koskoris

New York is proving that they are true contenders in the Eastern Division, winning the first four games of the season with dominance.  Even without all-star forward Amar’e Stoudemire, New York is averaging 104.5 points a game and is keeping their opponents to only 87.5 points a game.

Carmelo Anthony has been leading the Knicks so far this season, averaging an impressive 27.3 points a game.  He produced high numbers against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, scoring 31 points and pulling down 7 rebounds in the first game of the season and continued to dominate in the next three contests.

J.R. Smith is also proving his worth as the sixth man.  The 6-6 guard is averaging 17.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a game.  He brings the Knicks both offensive and defensive energy off the bench, clocking in as much time in the game as many of the starters.

New York has played Miami, Philadelphia twice, and Dallas.  Only Dallas managed to crack 90 points, and the Knicks have broken 100 points in every game.  Clearly, New York’s defense has improved and their offense has exploded. 

The Knicks are only four games into the season, though—and the only elite team they have played is the Heat (although the Mavericks are sure to be a playoff contender).  New York needs to continue to attack and focus if they want to continue their streak.

The team’s strengths are the all-star in Anthony, the shooting point guard Raymond Felton, the forward play of Tyson Chandler, and the offensive and defensive energy off the bench—especially from Smith and Steve Novak.

When Stoudemire is once again active, the Knicks are going to be even more dangerous.  Stoudemire is imperative to New York’s offense, as he brings down a high number of rebounds, and is a strong defensive player.  Adding him to the rotation of a seemingly in-sync Knicks team who has been dominating will be a great advantage to New York.

For now, with Stoudemire out for six to eight weeks, the Knicks need to continue to focus and play to the strengths of the players.  If Anthony and Smith continue to play the way they have been, New York will be a tough team to beat.

Game, Set....Loss?

The Heat Lead the Division Once Again, But They Aren’t Invulnerable

By Kyle Basedow

As the clock wound down on the clock during Saturday’s game between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat, the look on Eric Spoelstra’s face said it all.

“Not again.”

In only the second game of the season, one game after dominating the Boston Celtics in a 120-107 win, the Heat got held to 84 points by the Knicks. The KNICKS. The same Knicks who let up 94.7 points per game last season although through three games this year they’ve only given up a league low 85.3 points per game.

The Knicks dominated the Heat, who almost looked like they were playing a step behind the whole game. As good as they looked in the opener, they looked like a mediocre team in their second game.

None of the Big Three had a good game, with only LeBron James getting above 20 points. James finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and three blocks in addition to 5 turnovers. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh finished with 27 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 turnovers combined. Bottom line: They needed to play better.

Chris Bosh responded in the Heat’s next game against the Denver Nuggets, exploding for 40 points, his most in a Heat uniform. Ray Allen also chipped in with his late game heroics, taking a pass from James and hitting a corner three while getting attacked by Corey Brewer of the Nuggets. Dwayne Wade and LeBron James played better too, with James one rebound short of a triple-double (20 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds). Still, had it not been for Allen hitting the game winning shot with seven seconds left, the Heat might have lost or gone into overtime.

The Heat then reverted back to their dominating ways against the Phoenix Suns, winning 124-99. They came out hot and stayed hot the whole time, out-scoring the Suns in every quarter.

Regardless of how they played the past two games, the game against the Knicks proved one very important thing: The Miami Heat are not unbeatable. They are vulnerable down low and are having some issues hanging onto the ball. They’re a very good team that needs to start playing that way, otherwise teams like the Knicks will move in and start to assert dominance in the Eastern Conference.

Either way, the Heat need to gear up for the long haul or else they could lose their place as the NBA’s best team.

Carmelo Anthony Returns to the Carrier Dome

Anthony loses for the first time in the Dome in a preseason game versus the Sixers

By Ali Koskoris

Carmelo Anthony returned to the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University last Monday night, and his Knicks dropped their third consecutive preseason game—this time against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Knicks started out well. Anthony scored the first points of the contest just thirteen seconds in on a beautiful jumper. Raymond Felton then swished a three pointer at the buzzer off of an Anthony assist.  Anthony then proceeded to steal the ball and alley-oop it up to Tyson Chandler for a monstrous dunk to put the Knicks up 7-0.

The game went downhill from there for the Knicks, as the Sixers went on a 14-0 run and headed into the second quarter leading 26-23.  Philadelphia continued to dominate in the second quarter, outscoring the Knicks 36-21.  Jason Richardson and Thaddeus Young led the 76ers’ attack. 

AP Photo/ Kevin Rivoll

In the first half, Richardson scored 14, pulled down six rebounds, and dished out five assists.  He finished the game 8-17 from downtown, with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, one blocked shot, and 23 points.  Young scored 12 and grabbed three rebounds that first half.  He ended the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

At halftime, the Knicks trailed the Sixers 62-44.  Anthony and Felton entered the second half in attack mode, driving to the basket and taking open jumpers.  By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks were only trailing by four. 

New York played more aggressively in the second half, and had many open shots, but their shots were not falling, and they did not take the lead at any point.  Philadelphia continued its strong play, and defeated the Knicks 98-90.  New York clearly missed the power and offensive and defensive prowess of forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who did not travel to Syracuse because of an injured knee.

Felton was the only consistent player for the Knicks, going 5-7 from beyond the arc with three assists and 23 points.  Anthony grabbed six rebounds, with five assists, four steals, a blocked shot, and 23 points.  Despite his nice statistics, Anthony did not play his best game.

Anthony received a standing ovation from the crowd when he ultimately left the game with a minute left to play.  “My streak is over,” he said on his first loss in the Dome.

The New Jersey Nets Are Now the Brooklyn Nets

Will a New Rivalry Bloom as the Nets Move to New York?

By Ali Koskoris

This past Saturday, the Brooklyn Nets made their debut in a 108-105 preseason victory over the Sixers in Philadelphia.  Players sported their new black jerseys, dominating the 76ers in overtime to come away with the win.  

After thirty-five years in New Jersey, the Nets have now entered New York, with a stadium in Brooklyn.  The arena holds 18,000 and the center court dons the Brooklyn Nets’ logo:  a basketball with a “B” on it, framed by the words “Brooklyn New York.” 

AP Photo/ Bebeto Matthews

Nets’ CEO Brett Yormark explained his vision to “have something that [is] truly identifiable and unique,” similar to the impact of the Boston Celtics’ “parquet that has become very recognizable.”  Yormark described the building and court as “spectacular." It will first be seen by the public on November first in a game against the New York Knicks—by no accident, I’m sure.

 

Now with two New York teams, could a new rivalry between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks sprout?  The Nets improved their lineup during the offseason, adding 6-7 guard Joe Johnson and 6-3 guard Deron Williams to accompany the strong big play of center Brook Lopez and forward Gerald Wallace.  

 

The team will present come competition for the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Jason Kidd.  Though the Knicks might have the edge in the battle, the game is sure to be a tough contest for both teams. 

 

Unlike the LA Clippers and the Lakers, where a rivalry has not developed, the Nets and the Knicks will be closer in play level, creating competition not only on the court, but in the stands.

 

Will New Jersey Nets fans follow the Nets into New York, or will they begin rooting for the Knicks?  Will the Nets steal any fans from the Knicks- especially if they are successful on the court? 

 

Either way, every Brooklyn versus New York game should be interesting, exciting, and adrenaline-pumped, especially on opening day at Barclays Center.