Knicks fall against the Thunder, 112-103
After splitting back to back games with the Charlotte Hornets, the Knicks returned to Madison Square Garden to face Russell Westbrook’s Thunder.
Westbrook torched the Knicks with 27 points, 14 assists and 18 rebounds to help OKC win their 11th game (112-103) and after 19 games he is averaging triple doubles (30.9 points, 11.3 assists, 10.3 rebounds).
Another piece of Thunder’s success was Enes Kanter. The big guy finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds against a washed-up Joakim Noah, who’s part in the Knicks effort is yet a mistery. Noah played throughout the fourth quarter, gaining trust from coach Jeff Hornacek but finished with just 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists.
Carmelo Anthony had himself a quiet night going 4-19 from the field, for just 18 points. Kristaps Porzingis had 5 blocks and added 21 points and 8 rebounds while Derrick Rose has had a great night against Westbrook, finishing with 30 buckets.
Willy Hernangomez played just 14 minutes and scored 8 points but neither him nor Kyle O’Quinn were preferred in crunch time.
The Knicks fall to 8-9 after becoming a winning team on Friday night and tomorrow night will face Tom Thibodeau’s Wolves, in Minnesota.