(*T*M*C) Back in November the Knicks visited the Grizzlies with a 6-0 record. There was a buzz in NYC that this year would be like none other. So while New York was walking in Memphis, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol helped to run the Knicks out-of-town 105-95. The rematch was tonight at the “World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden. New York comes in winners of 5 straight which included 3 important divisonal victories. Memphis arrives 47-23 on the season and are currently the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Head Coach Mike Woodson shared some insight. “The adjustments we’ve made on defense have been big. Pablo (Prigioni) likes to extend out wide on the ball which is what we need. Kenyon Martin is a defensive-minded individual on the blocks. Therefore, the tone has been set by the way we play defensively.” The Knicks exemplified that mindset and much more as they held off the Grizzlies 108-101.
New York was sparked by the brilliance of JR Smith who stole the show with 35 points(10-18 FGs, 3-7 3-PTs, 12-13 FTs), 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Carmelo Anthony, who thankfully shot better than last night, had 22 points(8-20 FGs, 0-2 3-PTs, 6-6 FTs), 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Iman Shumpert scored 16 points(6-10 FGs, 4-6 3-PTs), 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Raymond Felton tallied 13 points(5-6 FGs, 2-3 3-PTs, 1-2 FTs), 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Steve Novak continues to be solid off the bench collecting 9 points(3-8 FGs, 3-8 3-PTs). Memphis was powered by Mike Conley’s 26 points(6-16 FGs, 2-8 3-PTs, 12-14 FTs), 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Jerryd Bayless was strong off the bench with 24 points(8-17 FGs, 4-7 3-PTs, 4-4 FTs). Tony Allen scored 18 points(7-10 FGs, 4-5 FTs), 10 rebounds and 2 steals. Marc Gasol showed a ton of heart playing through an abdominal tear added 13 points(4-7 FGs, 5-7 FTs), 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Quincy Pondexter, another bench contributor, had 10 points(4-7 FGs, 0-2 3-PTs, 2-2 FTs) and 5 rebounds.
The Iman Shumpert Show dominated the 1st Quarter. Knee injury? What knee injury? Shumpert was on fire scoring 13 of New York’s first 15 points. The Stat Line: 5-5 FGs and 3-3 from downtown. Carmelo Anthony flowed with the rhythm, 11 points(4-6 FGs, 3-3 FTs). JR Smith launched from the bench with 11 points(3-5 FGs, 1-2 3-PTs, 4-4 FTs), 4 rebounds and 2 assists. A 19-6 run gave the Knicks an early 19-9 lead with 5 minutes remaining. Tony Allen engineered the resistance with 10 points(5-6 FGs) and 5 rebounds. Mike Conley scored 8 points(3-6 FGs, 2-2 FTs) and 3 assists. New York shot 72.2% for the quarter and snatched a 37-25 lead.
Madison Square Garden exploded in the 2nd Quarter. New York mauled Memphis 32-16. The Knicks were letting it fly leading by 30 at one point. JR Smith was rolling with 12 points(5-9 FGs, 2-4 3-PTs). Steve Novak scored 9 points(3-7 3-PTs). Memphis was 5-11 from the field but committed 8 turnovers. The Knicks took a commanding 69-41 advantage at the break and another standing 8-count. This game is wrapped up at Halftime since the Grizzlies are showing little fight, right?
Wrong! Memphis charged in the 3rd Quarter with a 19-4 run and cut the deficit to 73-58 with 6:30 remanining. Mike Conley fought throw adversity with 9 points(2-6 FGs, 1-3 3-PTs, 4-4 FTs). Marc Gasol battled through pain adding 6 points(1-2 FGs, 4-5 FTs). The Grizzlies were getting to the line and the calls seemed to break the focus of the Knicks. Marcus Camby argued a foul, received 2 technicals and was ejected from the game. New York shot only 41.2% from the field and committed 10 fouls. The Knicks showed some sign of life with a 7-2 boost that took us to the 2:45 mark and a 80-60 lead. Memphis squeezed in a 10-4 spurt just before New York took a 86-70 lead into the 4th Quarter. Raymond Felton bought the Knicks some time with 7 points.
Here come the Memphis Grizzlies!!! For the first 5 minutes of the 4th Quarter is was Jerryd Bayless(9 points) vs JR Smith(8 points), NY 94-MEM 79. Bayless finished with 12 points in the quarter while Smith had 10 points. Over the next 4 minutes the Knicks survived the Grizzlies 10-6 push, NY 100-MEM 89. Memphis produced a critical 6-0 run over the next 1:30, NY 100-MEM 95. Jason Kidd makes his only shot of the game for the Knicks, a huge 3-PT at the 1:15 mark, NY 103-MEM 95. Over the next 45 seconds, Memphis would not die as they mustered one last 4-0 run, NY 103-MEM 99. New York finally closed the door with 5 straight free throws and the Knicks have won 6 in-a-row!!!
Head Coach Lionel Hollins was humble in defeat. “Obviously, we didn’t play well being down by 30 points. I’m proud of our guys showing character in the 2nd Half.” The mystery here is Zach Randolph barely played in the 2nd Half, stay tuned folks. Head Coach Mike Woodson basked in the sunset. “Games happen in spurts. If you can win the game going away, that’s fine. It doesn’t always go that way. What I like about it is we didn’t crack. That’s what I’m taking from it. The New York Knicks maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Brooklyn Nets who defeated the Portland Trailblazers. Next up on this home stand, the Charlotte Bobcats. New York is currently the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference and the feeling of this being a season like none other has captivated all Knicks Fans.(*T*M*C)
Written by Shelby Spencer
The Morning Crap 