Indiana Pacers Victor Oladipo
(Photo by Brian Munoz/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have dropped four of their last five after a loss to the Indiana Pacers, 110-99.

Collin Loring

  • New York Knicks 99 (9-22)
  • Charlotte Hornets 110 (20-10)
  • NBA, Final, Box Score
  • Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner combined for 46 points and 14 rebounds, as the Indiana Pacers steamrolled the New York Knicks for their sixth straight win.

After an exciting overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets, the young Knickerbockers looked a little stiff at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Enes Kanter posted 20 points and 15 rebounds, Emmanuel Mudiay dropped 18 points while dishing out six assists, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 19.

Trey Burke’s return went sour, as he scored just three points on 1-7 shooting. Kevin Knox got plenty of time on the floor, including crunch time, but shot just 6-15 from the floor.

Indiana has won their last six games and currently has the NBA’s number one defense. Over their win streak, they’re holding opponents to 96 points per game. Tonight, the Knicks only managed to score 99 thanks to a few garbage time buckets.

New York will remain in the chase for that elusive 10th win, as they fall to 9-22, and 12th in the Eastern Conference.

The Good

Albeit a sour loss, dare we say this was expected?

Still, New York held their own against one of the East’s top teams through three quarters of basketball. Indiana’s lead was just six points entering the fourth.

All Kevin Knox exposure is good exposure. The rookie will continue to learn and grow each night whether it is a loss or a win. And man is that floater money?

Mudiay continues to look at least average as the Knicks starting point guard. He had the highest plus-minus rating among starters with a minus-2. The former seventh overall pick is averaging 18.6points, and 5.7 assists in the month of December.

The Bad

New York’s effort in the fourth quarter was just awful. Everyone looked gassed, and there were turnovers aplenty. The Knicks finished with 15 on the night.

Frank Ntilikina saw a smaller role to make room for Burke minutes. He went just 1-4 from the field in his 18 minutes of play, and 0-2 from beyond-the-arc.

Even with the understanding this team is without their best player, future free agents aren’t going to look highly upon the team after another loss. With only nine marks in the win column, New York isn’t priming itself as a place players can come to win.

All in all, just another night for the New York Knicks. The young are getting older, and a better future is that much closer.

If only they could start stringing together a few wins. They’re traveling back to New York for a square off with the Phoenix Suns Monday night.

 
Writer, reader, entertainer. New York Knicks and the Carolina Panthers. Hoodie Melo is my spirit animal.