Best loss of the year. Knicks were getting wiped out early — down by 24 — but then made a series of runs — run after run after run — to get back in the game, then fall back, then get close, then fall back, then get closer still.
A Game of Runs
Knicks pulled to within a point 83-82, to end the 3rd quarter. Then fell behind again by 12 with 6:22 left in the game. Then another run to pull to within 2, 96-94. Then fell behind again, 106-98 with 20 seconds left. One more run!! Knicks lost by 3 when Mudiay missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Crazy.
Amazingly, down by 5 with 5 seconds left — Damyean Dotson was fouled on a 3-pointer, and .. hit the first 2 free throws, missed the 3rd on purpose and the Knicks miraculously got the rebound — Mudiay in the corner, dribbled and shot — Joel Embiid almost fouled him but didn’t — and Mudiay’s game-tying 3 missed.
A Lot of Highlights for the Knicks
- Frank Ntilikina with his best game of the year — was aggressive all night on offense and good on Defense. He was the one to come out and orchestrate the Knicks first run. He attacked the basket over and over again. Finished with 8 points (4-11) and 6 assists but it felt like 20 and 10.
- Kevin Knox with a career high 31 points (12-23) with big time drives to the basket in traffic and many pretty 3’s. He put on a show.
.@KevKnox putting on a show ✨ pic.twitter.com/uyhuiplkSL
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 13, 2019
- Luke Kornet winning his rematch with Joel Embiid — last time they played Embiid broke Kornet’s nose. This time Kornet found his glass slippers (he had been looking for them last few games) and served Embiid a cold plate of revenge — winning the individual matchup. Kornet had 23 points (7-13) vs Embiid who had 26 pts (9-24) — Kornet was more efficient but also importantly, Kornet had a +25 vs Embiid’s -3. Embiid was so flustered he hit Kornet with a flagrant foul on a layup in the 4th, and then head butted him later — a play Walt Frazier felt was deliberate.
After the game, Rebecca Haarlow asked Embiid why Kornet got under his skin so much:
Rebecca Haarlow @RebeccaHaarlow with the tough questions pic.twitter.com/iXRF3nPwDl
— Knicks.City (@knickcity) January 13, 2019
It was a game of runs — and after Ntilikina led the Knicks first run to get the Knicks back to within 12, Philly ran the lead back up to 24. Just before the half, the Knicks had another run — 8 straight points to pull within 16 at the half. Our tweet captured the run:
Nice drive Ntilikina!
Nice drive Knox!
Nice drive Hezonja to the line w foul!
Nice turnaround jumper Kornet!
8 straight Knicks points to end the half!
Philly 66 Knicks 50#FeelsLikeVictory— Knicks.City (@knickcity) January 13, 2019
Other Knicks
- Emmanuel Mudiay played together with Ntilikina for much of the second half — Mudiay finished with 19 points and 4 assists.
- Damyean Dotson played well (8 pts).
- Mario Hezonja played well (9 pts).
- Allonzo Trier still looked not himself — a bit hesitant. He is either still not feeling right after the hamstring injury, or Knick coaching has got him thinking too much that he has to pass. Will be good to get Trier back.
- Noah Vonley spent most of the night in foul trouble. Kornet ate up those minutes.
For Philly
- J.J. Redick killed the Knicks as usual. This is his team.
- Ben Simmons got two HUGE offensive rebounds late that cost the Knicks the game.
- Jimmy Butler was ok.
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