A great scoring performance from Carmelo Anthony, maybe his last with the New York Knicks, was ruined by bad defense and Russell Westbrook.
- Oklahoma City Thunder 116 (32-25)
- New York Knicks 105 (23-34)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The New York Knicks exploded on offense in the first quarter opening the game on a 16-2 run. It looked like the momentum from their win against the San Antonio Spurs had built up some confidence inside a formerly pathetic team. Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points in the first quarter on 7 of 8 shooting. The Knicks were ahead 39-27, and things were looking up.
Predictably, it all fell apart. The Knicks were outscored 89-66 over the next 36 minutes, and Anthony shot 4 of 12 and mustered up only 11 points for the rest of the night. He finished with a grant total of 30 though, so you can’t put this one on him. This was on the defense.
Shooting the ball is just one element to winning. Watch Melo on this play. He MUST BOX OUT the right way here. It's poor effort. #Knicks pic.twitter.com/BbCxyXhs2h
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) February 16, 2017
Russell Westbrook steamrolled the Knicks on Wednesday night. He recorded his 27th triple-double of the season with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter. Westbrook’s trend of ridiculous stat lines continued with 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. He did whatever he wanted to New York’s alleged defense. Yes, it’s Russell Westbrook, but at least make him work for it. It was too easy out there for him tonight.
Before tip-off of tonight’s game, Clyde Frazier implied it was on the Knicks to prove that Sunday’s win against the Spurs wasn’t an aberration. Now we know that’s exactly what it was. A solid effort for 48 minutes from this team is something that might not happen again this season.
Key Player
Kristaps Porzingis was 4 of 13 shooting and finished with just 11 points in 33 minutes of action. He continues to struggle.
Key Stat
Kyle O’Quinn was the only Knick who finished with a positive +/-. That’s some bad defense.
Thunder 116 #Knicks 105 F
Postgame coverage on @MSGNetworks NOW. #NYKvsOKC pic.twitter.com/LDcgfLpmTj
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
7:51 to go in the 4th. @carmeloanthony with 25 & @drose has 21. WATCH on @MSGNetworks! #NYKvsOKC #Knicks pic.twitter.com/JaSTsiPiCI
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
We head to the 4Q in OKC. #NYKvsOKC #Knicks
Thunder 88 NYK 80@carmeloanthony: 25p@drose: 19p@willyhg94: 7r pic.twitter.com/HdV2mKpx0D
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
? ? #NYKvsOKC #Knicks pic.twitter.com/69w7hjcNXe
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
Exciting 1st half of action in OKC. @carmeloanthony: 20p@drose: 13p@willyhg94: 6r#NYKvsOKC pic.twitter.com/PHsYjhZC2i
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
Hit ‘em with the crossover…#Knicks lead 54-38! #NYKvsOKC pic.twitter.com/yiru9zJfsS
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
The #Knicks offense exploded in the 1Q & @carmeloanthony is on ?! #NYKvsOKC
Melo: 19 points (7-8 FG) pic.twitter.com/f6u3pVZhUN
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017
#Knicks starters:
2️⃣5️⃣ @drose
5️⃣ @CourtneyLee2211
7️⃣ @carmeloanthony
6️⃣ @kporzee
1️⃣4️⃣ @willyhg94 #NYKvsOKC pic.twitter.com/9JEZE872vW— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 16, 2017