Game Thread: New York Knicks @ MInnesota Timberwolves 8:00pm 2/20/2016

The New York Knicks hit a new low during a dismal stretch this week, but maybe a matchup against one of the NBA's worst teams will help.

Of course, it could also result in another rock bottom.

The reeling Knicks seek only their second win in the last month when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.

New York (23-33) followed six straight losses before the All-Star break with Friday's 109-98 defeat at Brooklyn, the club's seventh straight road loss to the Eastern Conference's second-worst team.

The seven-game overall skid is the Knicks' longest of the season and drops them to 1-11 since a 118-111 overtime win over Utah on Jan. 20.

The drought resulted in the firing of Derek Fisher on Feb. 8, though interim coach Kurt Rambis insists the Knicks still have playoff aspirations this season. They have plummeted six games back of Charlotte and Chicago for the eighth seed in the East.

Performances like Friday's won't help as New York's 16 turnovers turned into 21 points for the Nets, who dominated inside with a 48-32 scoring advantage in the paint.

"That's the game right there," said Carmelo Anthony, who finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. "We can't be giving away games like this. It's crunch time now."

It's hard to pinpoint if it's the offense or defense that has resulted in New York's demise. The Knicks' 42.2 field-goal percentage and 97.1 points per game since Jan. 22 each rank toward the bottom of the league, and their opponents are shooting 46.4 percent in that stretch, including 40.8 from 3-point range.

New York might soon get a shot in the arm offensively, but it won't come in this game. The Knicks announced Friday that they plan to sign guard Jimmer Fredette to a 10-day contract on Monday.

Fredette is a former college player of the year at BYU and has played well for New York's Development League team, though he has averaged just 6 points for three NBA teams since Milwaukee took him with the 10th pick of the 2011 draft.

Rambis has lost both his games since taking over for Fisher and faces his former team on Saturday. He coached the Timberwolves to a 32-132 record from 2009-11.

Minnesota (17-38) entered the break with wins in three of four games but returned with Friday's 109-104 loss at Memphis.

The Timberwolves, who have won four of six at Target Center, have averaged 109.7 points over their previous six games overall but allowed 110.5 in the same span.

Turnovers also doomed the Wolves in their latest loss with their 22 against the Grizzlies marking their most since matching that number Dec. 26.

"We were a little careless with the ball and the outlet passes," said Zach LaVine, who made 4 of 6 from 3-point range and scored 22 points. "We were making some dumb passes. You know, just not the right ones."

The Knicks' 107-102 win at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 16 snapped Minnesota's two-game streak in this series.

Anthony fell one assist shy of a triple-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Ricky Rubio had 12 assists, 10 boards, nine points and eight steals for the Wolves.

Arron Afflalo had 29 points for the Knicks, and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.
(nba.com)

Must win, these 2 games were games we were winning earlier in the season, beating teams we were supposed to beat. A loss to the TWolves would be devastating after losing to the Nets, the schedule only gets tougher from here.

I'm watching to see KAT, Wiggins and Lavine as much as the Knicks. Their record doesn't show it but I think that's an up and coming team though I predicted they would be a lot better than they are right now which is terrible.

Rady .. Thanx for the Game-Thread .. I know we are playing exactly like last season 17 win Knicks

Not thrilled about Rambis coaching career or anyone guess on Rambis strategy tonite, or the next game.
Not thrilled about our 1-12 record in our last 13 games.
Not thrilled about a 40% fg shooting 7.3 rookie who knows blip about playing in the paint, plus receiving playing-time at potential moments in the game.
Afflalo n Calderon are not starters nor 30 minute players, nor are they complimentary guards to lift their teammates talent level in any game. The two need to plan together n try to bring some chemistry to this triangle system.

Lopez n O'Quinn should've been our Starters n Finishers at the start of the season to gain chemistry in the paint by midseason.

Towns guarding KP. Dieng guarding Rolo, Rolo has 4 pts early on hook shots down low. Knicks up 11-1 early.

Big reason the Knicks are in this slump is Lance who is either reverting back to the 3rd player off the bench or is in a slump. If he finishes the season like he's playing now, the Knicks won't sign him.

He bricked a 3 not even coming close and missed an easy layup off his offensive RB.

Lopez 16 pts 7 rbs in the first quarter giving us a 31-16 to start the game

1st qtr 16 pts for Rolo matching the entire Wolves team scoring. Go with the hot hand Rambis, tell the guys feed Rolo until his arm falls off from all the shots he's taking. 54 pt night for Rolo?

A 4 guard lineup to start the 2nd qtr .. wat is up with Rambis

Lopez Melo n D.Will .. thas much better lineup Rambis
I still dont like the idea of O'Quinn only receiving 3 minutes in the first half vs a small-ball Wolves team

Lopez pissed after getting treated by his twin last night!!! Free League Pass so I got the game Let's get a win fellas

Rolo's big 1st qtr. AA and Melo dominate the 2nd, Knicks go into the locker room with a 59-48 lead. Better job of keepong this athletic team out of the paint, scoring more pts in the paint than MN and outrebounding the Wolves. Only negative is KAT outplaying KP.

Rolo is just dominating. Starts the 3rd qtr with a defensive RB and then an OR and dunk off Melo miss.

When Rambis put the 4 guard lineup on the court .. Grant should have been in the lineup to push the ball.
Calderon Afflalo n Sasha are slow ball guards that dont push the ball or drive to the basket
The Wolves young guards are learning how to push the ball faster plus drive to the basket before opponents set up defense

Nice layup by JC to break that 9pt run by them 65-57 Knicks but pressure D by the Wolves causing TO's by the Knicks.

Another issue is our low energy yesterday n tonite .. If you have starting backcourt that has no speed or athletic ability it really makes the team slow and low energy.

Lopez on the court takes our offense n defense to its best level .. Why Fisher kept him on the bench in the 4th qtr. is a mystery.

18-4 run to end the quarter Finish them!!!

Looks like a wire to wire win by the boys 20 pt lead starting the 4th.

I don't see the TWolves coming back, they lack 3pt fire power. KMart and Tayshaun were supposed to give them that but I haven't seen it this game.

The Wolves might go after Dwight Howard in the offseason .. KAT has the skills to become another Duncan at PF with a center