Knicks Takeaways from Friday's 120-112 loss to the Suns, including their three-game win streak snapped

Knicks fought hard but came up short in Phoenix

1/4/2020, 4:36 AM
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The Knicks had their three-game winning streak snapped as they fell to the Suns 120-112 on Friday night. >> Box Score

Five things to know from Friday's game

1) Riding a three-game winning streak, the Knicks started the game with plenty of energy, shooting 60 percent as a team in the first quarter, leading by eight points after one. Three-point defense has been a struggle for the Knicks this year, but they held the Suns to 0-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half, resulting in a 10-point Knicks' lead at the break.

That lead disappeared quickly in the second half, as the Suns went on a 10-0 run in the first two minutes to tie the game. Later in the third, Kelly Oubre knocked down a three to give the Suns their first lead of the second half at 71-70. The two teams continued to go back and fourth, but the Knicks held a four-point lead after three. After trading lead changes back and forth for most of the fourth quarter, the Suns pulled away in the final minutes for the win.

 

 

2) Julius Randle has been on a tear as of late, and while he wasn't very efficient from the floor, he was able to make an impact on Friday. In the first half, Randle scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, recording three assists and a steal as well. He finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds following a quiet second half.

3) Heading into the game, there was a question as to whether or not Elfrid Payton would be available, as he welcomed a new baby girl into his family. But Payton told the Knicks he wanted to play, and he made it to the arena in time to make the start. Payton finished with 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

4) Looking for a spark off the bench, Bobby Portis delivered for the Knicks. Portis gave the Knicks some outside shooting on a night they needed it, hitting three three-pointers and finishing with 20 points. Overall, the Knicks bench scored 47 points.

5) Devin Booker proved why he's one of the best scorers in all of basketball. The Knicks simply had no answer for him throughout the night, scoring 17 points in the first half, and then breaking out for 15 points in the third quarter alone. Booker ended up with 38 points, while Oubre poured in 29 of his own.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks head to California next. On Sunday, they'll take on the Clippers at 3:30PM, followed by a game on Tuesday against the Lakers at 10:30PM.

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