The Knicks fell down from the get go Saturday night and couldn't get themselves completely back up in this one, as the Spurs came into Madison Square Garden and beat New York 111-104 to end their eight game losing streak. >> Box Score
Five things to know from Saturday's game
1) The Knicks were unable to capitalize on the Spurs recent uncharacteristic struggles and had a rough time in this one, going down early and letting things get out of hand by the middle of the second quarter--just about the same time the first boos started to rain down at Madison Square Garden from the Knicks faithful.
2) The Knicks gave up the most points in a half this season in the first 24 minutes of play, with the Spurs scoring 68 points in the first and heading into the locker room at the half up by 25. This seemed to be the opposite of what we've seen the Knicks do often this season--they tend to start games well and even take some big leads before allowing their opponent to come back. This time around, they let things go from the start.
3) Despite cutting the Spurs lead down to as low as seven in the fourth quarter after being down by as much as 28, the Knicks' shooting woes (42.4 percent from the field) and early turnovers (11) kept them from digging themselves completely out of the deep hole they were in.
4) Julius Randle, like most of the team overall, had a rough night, scoring 14 points on 35.2 shooting and finishing the night with a team leading four turnovers. His play brings up some questions of what Bobby Portis might look like in the starting lineup--Portis dropped 16 off the bench for the Knicks. Of course this would never happen, considering the contract the Knicks just gave Randle, but it's still an idea if they really want to win.
5) Frank Ntilikina tied a career-high six steals, including one off an in-bounds pass that resulted in a quick two points for the point guard. The Knicks as a whole did a great job of making the Spurs mishandle the ball all game long, as San Antonio turned it over 21 times. Ntilikina also gave the Knicks nine points and nine assists, while Marcus Morris led the team in scoring, putting up 20 points on 50 percent shooting--including going 4-of-6 from three.
Highlights
Frank with the theft and the easy bucket (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/cckhQ8YNLH
- Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 24, 2019
JUDGE: Your word is dunk
- Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 24, 2019
CONTESTANT: Can you use it in a sentence?
JUDGE: RJ Barrett scored two points with a dunk (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/ZqdsYzEnQm
Where were you the night Bobby Portis went off against the Spurs?!?
- Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 24, 2019
(via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/Hxjm8Ca0Ew
What's next
The Knicks (4-12) will stay home and play the second game of the "Battle of the Boroughs" Sunday evening, as the Nets (7-8) visit Madison Square Garden for the first time this season.
