Wipeout.
Knicks were down 71-31 at the half.
Knicks were making lazy passes on offense, were lax on defense, and were missing most of their shots. Rudy Gobert (10-12 for 25 pts, 16 rebounds) was eating Luke Kornet alive inside, Utah was hitting their shots from outside.
Have the Knicks bottomed? Does it get better from here? Or are they going nowhere with this coach?
Knicks Outcoached
Utah seemed like the much-better coached team. Quinn Snyder has done a nice job in Utah.
Talk on twitter turned to the Knicks coaching situation at the half. David Fizdale’s contract is for 4 years — 3 years remaining beyond this season. Knicks are still paying Derek Fisher and Jeff Hornacek.
On the other hand, some fans, like Robert Brown, felt this game showed how little talent the Knicks had and said they couldn’t judge this coach until Kristaps Porzingis gets back and they get a point guard.
Knicks Better in the 3rd
The Knicks came out after the half and looked like a different team. Emmanuel Mudiay attacked and Noah Vonleh (13 pts, 9 rebounds, an amazing +11) made some strong moves inside; the Knicks hit some 3’s and they pulled to within 22 points midway through the 3rd!
But that was it — Utah took back command and was up by 32 again by end of the 3rd and pulled back to up by 50 in the 4th — hitting their 3’s.
Former Utah Jazz Player Enes Kanter
Enes Kanter was booed loudly every time he touched the ball — he had demanded a trade from Utah years ago. Kanter had a horrible game — 2 pts. Kevin Knox showed nice rainbow touch on 3 pointers (3-4 from 3, 12 pts). Kornet came on late — playing well in the 4th, hitting 3’s (4-6 from 3 for 14 pts).
Former Utah Jazz Player Trey Burke
Trey Burke finally entered the game in the 4th and went on a scoring run for 12 points in 8 minutes. All night long as Kanter was getting booed you wondered why Burke wasn’t in there since he had something to prove against Utah. Inexplicable coaching decision by Fizdale. Utah fans did not boo Burke.
How did Ntilikina Do?
Frank Ntilikina was aggressive offensively — even had a slam dunk on a drive — but that was his only basket; he was 1-7 for 2 pts and a team-worst -37. Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum, Derrick Favors, Thabo Sefolosha, Royce O’Neale, and Kyle Korver all played well for Utah.
No positives for this game.
Wipeout.
The boxscore:
http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071208
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