Game 27: New York Knicks v Orlando Magic (Review)
Actual Score: 103-98By: Malcolm MerrittEmail: [email protected]Follow on:Instagram: @mjdaddy323 Twitter: @mjmerritt323
The New York Knicks (9-18)are clearly a different team with Tyson Chandlerand a better team than they were to start the season. Players are starting to come into their roles, players are getting out of their slumps and their season seems to be turning towards the playoff. They were coming off a lost against the Memphis Grizzlies (11-15) at home.
In that game they were down by 25 at one point but fought back bringing the game to four points. The stretch they put together near the end of the game was similar to their first half of this game. New York was completely on fire as they were beating the Orlando Magic (8-20)65-41 at the end of the first half and 68-43 at one point in the third quarter. Everything was clicking. New York was hitting 3s, 2s, and rebounding. Tyson Chandler looked in All Star form, grabbing rebounds and dedicating himself to the game as he usually does. Raymond Feltonprematurely returned to action, coming out of the first half with 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting along with 3 assists. The Knicks lead the NBA in least amount of turnovers with 11.9 turnovers per game. They only had one in the first half.
| Tyson Chandler (6) hawked down rebounds in his best game of the season. |
The story turned completely. It started with Carmelo Anthony, who had a team high 19-points. The Knicks blew their huge lead, as Orland smelled blood. Jameer Nelson took over the game. He finished with 17 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. He was shown playing harder than ever, when at one point New York was triple teaming him. New York was outscored 35 to 19 in the third quarter. As the game went on, Orlando fought, getting within one point, but could never get closer. New York had 8 turnovers in the second half.
With 5 minutes remaining, the Knicks battled. They had thrown away their lead, lost their best player and couldn’t afford another loss, which would add another blemish to a season that is already blotted with dark spots. Tyson Chandler slammed the ball in over Glen Davis off a great feed from Raymond Felton for a four point Knick lead. Chandler could be seen yelling at his teammates (Iman Shumpertand Andrea Bargnani) to run up the court and bring more energy.
Then with 3 minutes left, there was a crazy sequence. Felton turned the ball over, Jameer Nelson got steal, passed it down court to Tobias Harris, who was subsequently blocked by Iman Shumpert. New York called a timeout as Raymond Felton was then gingerly walked off the floor with an ankle injury. A minute and 3 seconds later, Iman Shumpert stole the ball from Nelson on the top of the key and laid it in, giving New York a 6-point lead. Immediately after, Shumpert saved New York off a turnover where Glen Davis was on his own and Shumpert swatted the ball out of his hands. The Magic gained possession but Shumpert’s energy was on full display. Aaron Afflalohit a huge 3-point shot with less than a minute left. He had five of those and led all scorers with 26 points. All five of the Magic starters finished in double figures, but it simply wasn’t enough.
| New York lost both Carmelo Anthony (7) and Raymond Felton while they barely held on. |
Tyson Chandler rebounded well the entire game. In his best game of the season, he had 10 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Beno Udrih was clutch at the free throw line as he replaced Felton. During the game he was 6 for 6 from the line, finishing with 10 points and 6 assists. J.R. Smith also had one of his better games, shooting 7 for 17, for 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 4 assists.
Though New York blew a huge lead and was outscored in the second half, it was enough to get them the win 103-98. Melo, Bargnani, Chandler, Felton, Smith, and Udrih all finished in double figures.
The Knicks play their next game on Christmas Day at home at 2:30 PM ET against Kevin Durantand the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5), who have surpassed all expectations with 22 wins.
This post first appeared on Malcolm Merritt' S New York Knicks 2013-2014 Game-, please read the originial post: here
