Game Thread: Knicks at Hawks, 02/15/2019

[Jamaaliver]

damage control...

Read on Twitter

[graymule]

Two red faced games in a row. The King got his game as he got whooped. Then the Hawks got their game
as they attempted to play against the NBA team that has their number. Knickerbockers have won 11 games this season
up to the break. 3 of these were taken from the Hawks...

The last two games just proves the old saw, "On any given night --" Yep. It happens, doesn't it. Knickerbocker fans came,
they won and then departed happy. King James came, his fans came and they left, feeling so sad. Life is not easy and
it comes with no guarantee.

We, the Hawks fans, are both happy and sad. Personally, if I must choose which game to lose, I would be pleased with
how these two games turned out. I had much rather beat The King. Sad with the last game's outcome but happy with
the fact that we are still in the lottery chase. Oh, well. Can't have everything.

THE WELCOME BREAK !

Remember, our rookies had played less games than this in all their previous seasons and we still have a way to go.
How will they hold up for the remainder of the season?

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[jayu70]

Sometimes in a season, a team just has your number no matter the record.

[HMFFL]

I expected New York to give the lead up. After losing 18 straight games they finally win a game.

Sent from my SM-N920P using RealGM mobile app

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

Sometimes in a season, a team just has your number no matter the record.

This has been true this season but biggest take-away was the total lack of energy for our team. Definitely felt like guys mentally checked out after the Lakers win.

[jayu70]

Sometimes in a season, a team just has your number no matter the record.

This has been true this season but biggest take-away was the total lack of energy for our team. Definitely felt like guys mentally checked out after the Lakers win.

Agreed, it felt like 'we just be LAL, NYK has lost 18 games, soooo...........we good.

[Jamaaliver]

NorthJersey.com

How the New York Knicks broke their 18-game losing streak with win over Hawks

It had been more than a month since the Knicks experienced a win.

They had suffered 18 consecutive losses, breaking a franchise record in the process.

They needed a victory.

They finally got one Thursday night, beating the Atlanta Hawks, 106-91, at State Farm Arena.

"Those guys wanted that game really badly and they came out and they showed it," coach David Fizdale said.

Here are five reasons the Knicks beat the Hawks:


1. Defensive effort

The Knicks held the Hawks to 36.3 percent shooting from the field and 26.3 percent from long distance.

In the first quarter, Atlanta scored just 13 points and shot a paltry 6-of-29 from the field, including 0-of-9 from the perimeter.

The only quarter where the Hawks had any success was the second, when they scored 38 points and shot 50 percent. Other than that, Atlanta couldn't do anything.


2. Kadeem Allen's night

3. Key shots from John Jenkins

John Jenkins has also spent most of the season in the G-League.

And like Allen, Jenkins is now making the most of his minutes.

Jenkins also scored 14 points Thursday night, going 6-of-13 from the field and 2-of-6 from the perimeter. He came off the bench in the second quarter and scored nine points, which was big for the Knicks since that was when Atlanta fought back and tied the score.

Jenkins provided a needed lift.

"Huge," Fizdale said. "That’s two games that his shooting has really helped us. We run stuff for him. He’s unselfish at the same time and he’s really competing defensively."

4. Dennis Smith Jr. drops 19

5. Balanced scoring

While Smith, Allen and Jenkins each had solid nights, the Knicks finished with six players in double figures, while Kevin Knox nearly reached that mark with nine.

The Knicks finished with 21 assists.

They kept the ball moving all game, something they haven't done consistently this season.

The difference showed.

"It’s just a matter of getting them to understand we don’t need the home run for the guy who has the ball," Fizdale said. "A lot of times you’re the decoy. Getting the young guys to understand that and guys in contract years to understand that sometimes is tough. But we’re starting to do it."

[jayu70]

I’m starting to get Reef vibes in regards to Collins. He is very soft.

Were you thinking that during the Lakers game? Or just because he had his worse game of the season?
In 42 games this season:
8 games with 1-5 rebounds
11 games with 6-9 rebounds
23 games with 10+ rebounds.

You can dog his defense all you want because he's been bad, but nothing about his game screams soft.

[Spud2nique]

I watch alot of Hawks games, or any other team due to my betting. Alright maybe it was a hot take and i dont want to put any more salt into the wound of Doncic - Young trade...

For the record, and I say this with no emotion or snark --

We are very pleased with Trae Young. He projects to be an elite offensive initiator moving forward. L**a has been spectacular. But we chose to go in a different direction. And that direction is already looking fairly solid.

We're playing around .500 ball the last couple of months and we're on pace for two lottery selections this summer. (The second via Dallas from the L**a trade.)

Doncic is likely the better player. But we got us a good one and are in the process of building the better team.


Keep an eye out for us moving forward.

And good luck keeping Kawhi next season.

Since he’s a gambling man he should check the odds on Kawhi bolting next year and bet the farm. Also, please stop saying Doncic is likely the better player, based on what, iso volume vs assisting and facilitating, and overal being the general of the team which I still think is up for grabs and nothing has been decided. Rookie years aren’t even complete. Slow down people, including you Stu!

[macd-gm]

Hey guys. I forgot the game was last night. Mainly because the game thread says 2/15!!!!!! Thanks a lot.

So I'm assuming we played well and won right .....

[jayu70]

Hey guys. I forgot the game was last night. Mainly because the game thread says 2/15!!!!!! Thanks a lot.
U
So I'm assuming we played well and won right .....

Oooops!

[kg01]

Hey guys. I forgot the game was last night. Mainly because the game thread says 2/15!!!!!! Thanks a lot.
U
So I'm assuming we played well and won right .....

Oooops!

Haha! Screw you, macd!

Reminds me of how I always assume our games start at 7:30. Whenever we have one that starts at 7, I turn to it like halfway through the 1st quarter like, "WTF!? Why didn't ya'll tell me?!"

[azuresou1]

What a terrible game to make my first home game. Came out soft and unfocused, died on basic PnR and allowed free throw line jumpers all night long.

On the plus side the stadium was pretty cool, and nice to not have to pay an arm and a leg for a pretzel + soda =)

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

What a terrible game to make my first home game. Came out soft and unfocused, died on basic PnR and allowed free throw line jumpers all night long.

On the plus side the stadium was pretty cool, and nice to not have to pay an arm and a leg for a pretzel + soda =)

Feel bad for you for sure. That was a heck of a stinker to be your first one in person.

[fuzzy1]

That game was ass. Put out some tank lineups. At one point I think we had Len, Dedmon, Anderson, Bembry and Baze in the game. Wtf.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

That game was ass. Put out some tank lineups. At one point I think we had Len, Dedmon, Anderson, Bembry and Baze in the game. Wtf.

Sent from my SM-J700T using RealGM mobile app

In fairness, not even the normal lineups were working. I think Pierce may have been just trying whatever he could think of to kick start the team.

[IheartTHEhurt]

They looked like a bunch of rookies who has already cashed in for the break last night.. It was an ugly loss but it benefits us.. Hope they look better after the break or complete tank mode.. choose one and stick with it

[hawkmanreturns]

They looked like a bunch of rookies who has already cashed in for the break last night.. It was an ugly loss but it benefits us.. Hope they look better after the break or complete tank mode.. choose one and stick with it

[lethalweapon3]

Welp! Come on back after the Break healthy and hungry!

Make us look better than this this weekend, Trae and JC! Go Hawks!

~lw3

So far so good! One day down, one to go!

~lw3