NBA --- Knicks on a three-game win streak, upend theTrail Blazers 117-93
By Oliver Iglesias
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
NEW YORK – The New York Knicks went on a 34-16 tear in the fourth quarter to rout Carmelo Anthony and the Portland Trail Blazers 117-93 on Wednesday at the Madison Square Garden.
Forward Julius Randle and center Mitchell Robinson led the Knicks attack with 22 points apiece. Robinson made an immediate impact off the bench, contributing 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting in the first half. He went 11-for-11 overall with 8 boards to highlight a “perfect” night.
Ten-time All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony returned to a warm welcome from the MSG crowd since he left the Knicks in 2017. He finished with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Interestingly, he did not score after the 3rd quarter when the Knicks eventually took over.
Portland star guard Damian Lillard had another disappointing night with 11 markers on 5-for-20 field goal shooting. The Trail Blazers absorbed their fifth consecutive loss as the team opened its five-game trip.
At the post-game locker room interview, the “Dame” responded to queries on his poor shooting performance.
“I always play. I play a lot of games during the season and sometimes the shots do not go in and tonight is one of those nights. I still try to play a complete game and make plays as I always do but we were also having issues including on the defensive end. Next time, we should communicate better with our plays, pick up our urgency and tighten up defensively, but it is really even tougher when you play in another team’s floor since the opponents play with extra confidence,” Lillard said.
Three Knicks also finished in double figures led by Marcus Morris Sr with 18 points, Bobby Portis adding 17 while Reggie Bullock, who had recovered from an offseason neck surgery, dropped 11 in 15 minutes.
Hassan Whiteside had 17 points and 12 rebounds while CJ McCollum contributed 17 points, four rebounds and four dimes in a losing effort.
The Knicks shot 48 percent overall (47-for-98) while allowing the Trail Blazers to go 39.4% on 37-for-94 conversion.
Before the game, there was a moment of silence for former NBA Commissioner David Stern, who died earlier in the day at 77.
"David Stern was not only one of the greatest commissioners in the history of sports, he was an incredible individual and friend. He was loyal and fair, patient and wise, and made all of us who had the privilege of knowing him better," Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan said in a statement. "The NBA will stand forever as a testament to his lasting legacy and all those who worked with him or for him, sat next to him or across the table from him are better because of it."
The Knicks battle the Phoenix Suns in Arizona this Friday, January 3.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Oliver Iglesias.
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