The Knicks battled back from a 22-point deficit, but they ultimately fell short to Cavaliers, 113-106, on the road Wednesday night. >> Box score
Things to know about Wednesday's game
1) The Knicks made a big comeback in the second half, with rookie Kevin Knox putting them up by one with a thunderous transition dunk. But the Cavs got the lead back from a Rodney Hood floater, and would further it after the Knicks were forced to foul following a miss. The critical play of the game, though, came on an inbound following a timeout where Emmanuel Mudiay couldn't find a teammate to get the ball to in a three-point game. It ended the Knicks' chance at a comeback.
2) Coming off his best game as a Knick, David Fizdale put Knox in the starting lineup and he delivered a solid performance. He posted 19 points including a big three ball late to bring the Knicks within one to go along with his dunk on the very next possession. He also had seven rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
3) Leading the way for the Knicks was Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr., who both had 20 points. Kanter finished with another double-double with 11 rebounds, and Hardaway knocked down four of his nine shots from beyond the arc.
4) Off the bench, Frank Ntilikina had yet another strong performance as he is turning some heads with his offensive prowess. He finished with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including two three-balls.
5) The Knicks couldn't stop Rodney Hodd and Jordan Clarkson tonight. They finished with 23 points and 28 points respectively, and both played a large role of keeping the Cavs' lead and eventually getting it back in the final minutes. Collin Sexton, another rookie on the floor in this one, finished with 19 points as well.
Jake Brown | Twitter |
Wow. What a wide range of emotions in the final minute of that game. The Knicks go from trailing by 22 earlier to tying the game to looking out of it to the Kevin Knox show to a bad turnover and extremely frustrating loss.
Losing to a team as bad as the Cavaliers after fighting back and taking the lead in the final minute is a tough pill to swallow.
That was just an atrocious job out of the timeout by the Knicks to turn the ball over on the bad pass by Mudiay. Kanter needs to come out and get that ball. They got too fancy with so many screens and forgot to send someone to get the inbounds pass on the perimeter. It looks like that was on Kanter, but coming out of a timeout, that is so inexcusable. There was still time there to get up a quick two and then foul.
Here's the good news: Knox and Frank Ntilikina were terrific tonight. You saw Knox make a huge three and then follow it with a sensational jam to get the lead with 32 seconds left as he finished with 19 points. Ntilikina made a couple big shots and finished with 16.
Hood just wasn't missing shots, which isn't a fault to Ntilikina really. Some positive signs from the youth tonight, but just annoying to lose to an awful team like the Cavs.
Highlights from tonight's game
Don't make @KevKnox angry... 😤 pic.twitter.com/2IzJvUIFuf
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 13, 2018
Rise up young fella ❗ pic.twitter.com/C9j1DbyPZp
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 13, 2018
The big man getting it done. pic.twitter.com/e2nPQqXJ7a
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 13, 2018
Right on 🎯 for @T_HardJR pic.twitter.com/gEMNOlEQFU
- NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 13, 2018
What's next:
The Knicks stay on the road to face Kemba Walker and the Hornets on Friday at 7 p.m.