Knicks takeaways from Saturday's 104-99 loss to Raptors

Knox finished with 20 points, Robinson had career-high 15

2/10/2019, 3:28 AM
Feb 9, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox (20) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner
Feb 9, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox (20) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner

It was hard fought, but the Knicks fell for the 16th straight game as the Raptors took them down, 104-99, at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Saturday's game

1) The Knicks got off to a hot start with a 14-3 run. However, the Raptors closed the first quarter with a 25-23 lead. New York made it close the rest of the way, regaining their lead at one point in the second. But Toronto, the second-best team in the Eastern Conference right now, would've let this one slip away. 

2) Rookie Kevin Knox led the Knicks with 20 points, but only shot 7-for-21 on the night with four rebounds and two assists as well. This has been a trend for Knox, where he racks up a good points total, but isn't too efficient from the field. He also played the most minutes out of anyone with 40 on the night. 

3) Dennis Smith Jr. was coming off a career-high 31 points on Friday night, but couldn't produce the same result tonight. He had a rough outing, shooting 4-for-17 from the field for 13 points. He did have six assists and four rebounds as well. 

4) Mitchell Robinson came off the bench and added a spark with 15 points (career high) in 22 minutes. He also collected seven boards, and posted a team-high three blocks on the night. 

5) No Raptors player really stood out, but all five starters finished with double-digit points. Kyle Lowry led the way with 22 on 6-of-10 shooting, including five threes. Kawhi Leonard didn't perform too well with just 11 points on 4-for-15 from the field. 

6) Kadeem Allen, who is seeing good time since the Knicks-Mavs trade, posted a career-high 14 points with six assists to go along with it.  

Highlights

What's next

It will be a battle of the worst when the Knicks travel to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Monday at 7 p.m.

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