Did Knicks Force Game 6?

By Andrew Rosario

 

New York Knicks were feeling themselves after winning game 2 at Madison Square Garden. They had a hangover to begin game two after the game one loss in which Trae Young (32 points) torched them hitting the game winning shot with 0.9 left in the game. Knowing they did not want to go down 2-0 before the series headed to Atlanta, New York did something they’ve struggled with all year and had a strong third quarter. It led to a victory that tied the series at 1. Coming off the bench as he was accustomed to, Derrick Rose led the second half comeback in the 101-92 win.

Going into game 3, the Knicks were hoping to continue the momentum. First year head coach Tom Thibodeau made a change starting Rose and Taj Gibson hoping to spark the anemic offense. The move seemed to backfire as the offense sputtered. Rose led the team scoring 30 points in the 105-94 loss with Randle only scoring 14. The Hawks had 7 players score 10 points or more. “They made shots, we didn’t, and they won the game,” said RJ Barrett. 

 

Tibbs stayed with starting lineup hoping that Julius Randle could break out of his slump and be the force he was during the regular season that earned him most improved player of the year award. Hawks coach Nate McMillan constructed a defense that suffocated and frustrated Randle in all four games. The outcome would be no different in the Hawks 113-96 win giving them a commanding 3-1 series lead. Atlanta had 6 players score in double digits. 

 

New York won all three games against Atlanta during the regular season with solid defense and an offense that included had multiple players who scored in double figures. Aside from game two in the second half, that has not been the case. 

 

Last night, in what should have been a raucous crowd, the Knicks were hoping to extend the series to game six in Atlanta giving them an opportunity to play game seven on their home floor.

 

If that were to happen and New York advanced to the next round, they would face Philadelphia who saw their series go to a fifth game against the Washington Wizards after the Monday night loss.

 

Despite the outcome of the series, the New York Knicks became relevant this season which included them winning 9 straight games at one point, landing them the fourth seed in the playoffs. Thibodeau, in his first year as head coach, got his young players to believe in his system. It would not be a surprise if he was named coach of the year.