Knicks fall to Bucks 112-100 after heroic comeback from 24 points deficit

Last night’s game was another emotional roller coaster as the Knicks came back from a 24-point deficit in the third quarter to lose 112-100 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the final minutes.

But the effort was all due to the second unit. The starters, led by Julius Randle‘s 16 points, were a disaster. The back court duo Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker shot 2-12 from the field and combined for 4 points. RJ Barrett shot 3-8 for a total of 9 points while Mitchell Robinson scored just 3 in 23 minutes of playtime.

“You know what they say. When it’s 10 games, you say we need 20. When it’s 20, you say 30, When it’s 30, you say it’s 40. Before you know it, the season’s over. It’s a bunch of bull***t.”

– Tom Thibodeau

The Bucks built an 8 point lead after halftime before embarking on a 16-0 run that put them up 70-46 with 5:48 left in the third quarter. But Derrick Rose was once again not happy with that. The 33-year old veteran scored a team high 22 points off the bench and inspired the Knicks on a comeback that tied the game at 89 with 5 minutes left to play. Rose went 8-15 from the field and shot 6-8 from long distance.

Immanuel Quickley, his partner in crime, also shot well for a total of 18 points. Quickley scored a couple of threes including the game tier and made all of his free throws. Alec Burks was another factor that shot the ball well, making four threes and finished with 14 points, same as Obi Toppin.

Unfortunately the comeback was spoiled by Bucks’ Pat Connaughton who scored 15 of his total 23 points in the final act. Connaughton made three three pointers after the Knicks tied the game, following other two long distance shots he made earlier in the fourth.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 15 points and 15 rebounds and former Knick, Bobby Portis, scored 17 points. Jrue Holiday finished with 18 points for the reigning champs.

The Bucks shot better from long distance making 10 extra buckets but also defended the rim better with 50 rebounds to Knicks’ 38.

The Knicks dropped 7-5 and lost their 3rd straight game at the Garden where they are 2-4.

Up-next:

The Knicks (7-5) will travel to Charlotte Friday night to take on the Hornets (6-7) from 7:00 pm.