Randall Struggled From 3-Point Land
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
The New York Knicks were coming of a thrilling, double overtime win over their division rival Boston Celtics in their 2021 season debut at the World’s Most Famous Arena Madison Square Garden. As usual the stars were out in full force. They followed that win when they blew out the Orlando Magic on the road last Sunday giving them a 2-0. New York, not known for their 3-point prowess, torched the Magic from 3-point land nailing 24 in the 121-96 victory. When they faced Orlando last Sunday night, they had to be very confident looking to go 3-0 or the first time since 2014. Unfortunately, the Magic team that showed up wasn’t the same team that got embarrassed at home and the 3-point accuracy the Knicks displayed, disappeared in the 110-104 loss.
New York took a 2-point lead (29-27) at the end of the first quarter as Julius Randall paced them with 8 points. The Knicks went up by 13 in the second after a Mitchell Robinson alley-oop slam assisted by Kemba Walker. It would have been easy for Orlando to lay down for the rest of the game from that point on. They did just the opposite outscoring New York 18-10 to close the lead to 5 (57-52).
The Knicks kept Orlando at bay taking a 80-74 third quarter lead when their 3-point shot abandoned them and Magic’s Terrance Ross stepped up in a big way. Having gone scoreless through the first 3 quarters, Ross erupts for 22, 4th quarter points draining shot after shot. Said Ross after, “that second half, more opportunities to score and shoot. It kind of like (came) to me.” Ross had help from Cole Antony who finished with 29 points and a career high 16 rebounds for his first career double-double.
In the win against Orlando, New York set a team record when they took 54 3-pointers making 24. Last Sunday night was the opposite as they attempted 48 and made only 13. Randall struggled from downtown converting only 2 of 10, 3-point attempts.
After their first two wins, the buzz the New York Knicks created last year carried over for the first three quarters. Things then changed quickly in the fourth. “We knew they would play with intensity,” said second year head coach Tom Thibodeau. “In this league, the players are too good. When you take short cuts, the results are never gonna be good.”
The New York Knicks looked to bounce back when they hosted Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers this past Tuesday. Philly will still be without guard Ben Simmons who has taken a leave of absence from the team. Simmons was suspended and missed their season opening win over the New Orleans Pelican. No date has been established or his return.
