The New York Knicks losing streak hit an embarrassing 15 in a row against the Pistons, but Dennis Smith Jr. scored a career-high 31 points.
- New York Knicks 103 (10-44)
- Detroit Pistons 120 (25-29)
- NBA, Final Score Box Score
- Little Ceasars Arena, Detroit, MI
On the back end of a home and home series with the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks entered Friday night’s contest with the NBA’s worst record, losing 14 in a row.
Post-trade deadline, the Knicks have incorporated three (now two) new players into the starting line-up and the results have been less than impressive.
If you’re a fan of stats, Dennis Smith Jr. certainly knows how to get buckets, but the Knicks as a whole have failed to resemble anything close to a cohesive offensive unit.
See you in Charlotte ?
(@mountaindew) pic.twitter.com/PCaepfTeB4— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
Early on, the Knicks were down to Pistons. Anyone on the Pistons roster was able to get what they wanted in transition or one-on-one. You know where at the point in the season where the tank is strong when Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier is complimenting players like Ish Smith.
For the Knicks, Smith Jr. looked every bit the highly touted lottery pick, that Dallas expected him to be. The second-year point guard scored a team-high 19 points in the first half and was the only Knick in double figures.
Mitchell Robinson was the only other Knick worth mentioning. Robinson had three blocks and is slowly but surely stacking consistent performances.
.@23savage____ ready at the rim. pic.twitter.com/57y63fdEdb
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
Despite those performances, the Knicks entered the second half down nine points with suspect defense and little ball movement.
At this point in the season, the Knicks are “that guy” with about 100 plus unread e-mails on his phone. In this case, those unread e-mails are missed defensive assignments and/or open shots for the opposition. Even if extra ping-pong balls are the goal, at times, it’s still really hard to watch this team.
Andre Drummond and Griffin continued their assault on the Knicks, each with at least 20 points by the end of the third quarter. Zaza Pachulia even recorded some points which should tell you all you need to know about this game.
But pump the brakes for a minute. The Knicks stormed back on the back of Smith Jr. to tie the game in the third quarter. But alas, the brief hope was squashed fairly quickly as the Pistons just enforced their dominance.
In the end, Smith Jr. finished with a career-high 31 points, but the Pistons closed the game with three players with 20 plus points including Griffin, Drummond and Reggie Jackson. All of this lead to a 120-103 win for Detroit.
The New York Knicks fly back home for a game against the Toronto Raptors who recently acquired Marc Gasol. The orange and blue will be looking for their 11th win of the season.
??? pic.twitter.com/Lot3bMK1TP
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
Let it fly, @KevKnox. pic.twitter.com/Zzo85SdWCt
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
.@Dennis1SmithJr with the HOPS ? pic.twitter.com/fHSg1MEHJC
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
Big man moves ? pic.twitter.com/cMvHAfI7Gx
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
Rise ? @DeAndre pic.twitter.com/FEM2Gj09dc
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
.@ISO_ZO dancin' around 'em pic.twitter.com/fvCRKQVHwj
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
.@wholeteamDot with the handles pic.twitter.com/W8dDd8oveK
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 9, 2019
