Red
TYPE-A
New York went 10-for-22 from 3-point range and improved to 19-4 when making at least 10 3s, and the 19-point margin of victory was the fourth-largest of the season and the biggest since the Knicks defeated Phoenix by 25 on Jan. 7.
The Knicks also improved to 16-2 when holding an opponent to less than 100 points, 8-6 in the second night of back-to-backs, 15-7 when outrebounding their opponent, and 15-7 in the last 22 games at the Garden, which was sold out for the 18th consecutive time.
This is our key to winning in the post season. I have to say I underestimated our ability to play defense consistently, but 18 games so far (granted with a varied line-up) that we have held the oopositon under 100 might be over looked.
Please Mike, concentrate on adjusting to this stat (and the rebounding stat) consistently by post season time. The East won't know what hit'em.
I see coach adjusting his approach
1. Using more players in rotation
2. Using better defenders
3. Resting players more
4. Scrapping SSOL for more ISO plays andslowing things down
Jeffries grabbed 4 offensive boards (6 total), no points
Melo is avg'ing 26 in five games so far
And check this out...
TURNING POINTS: A two-point Knicks lead quickly grew to 12 late in the second-quarter thanks to six quick points from Anthony and two each from Douglas and starting center Ronny Turiaf. The Hornets helped the Knicks' cause with two turnovers in the 13-3 run. The Knicks coasted after the half, leading by double figures for all but 18 seconds of the final two quarters. It got so bad midway through the fourth that the fans started chanting for a Roger Mason appearance. Mike D'Antoni obliged, and the crowd exploded when Mason hit a three with a little over a minute to play.
DIFFERENCE MAKER: In addition to Douglas, Amare Stoudemire finished with 24 points on 10-of-9 shooting and Anthony had 22, hitting 8 of his 18 shots. Sharpshooter Shawne Williams had 16 points and made four of his six 3-point attempts.
WHAT'S NEXT: If you're curious to see how quickly this team is building chemistry, look no further than Friday night's game home game against the Cavaliers. Last Friday, the Knicks traveled to Cleveland fell to the 11-win Cavs in embarrassing fashion. They were outrebounded by 20 and looked out of synch on offense (41 percent shooting) in a 115-109 loss, their second to the Cavaliers this season. It doesn?t seem like they will have Billups (thigh) available for Friday's home game but they should be able to bounce back against the Cavs, who are 3-27 on the road. The Knicks hit the road to take on the Hawks on Sunday night and return home to play the Jazz on Monday night.
Maybe coach is coming around...idk
But what I do know is "half the game is 90% mental"-Yogi and if coach can instill confidence in our roll players and bench...
Watch out!