Bridges Shot Comes Up Short
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Hart’s 2nd Double-Double Wasted ln Hawks Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
When the New York Knicks (#3 seed) opened the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks (#6 seed) last Saturday night, first year head coach has one message for the team. “Start strong”, he implored. The team had done just that in winning 5 of their last 6 regular season games. The only loss was to Orlando as the Knicks had already clinched their playoff spot. Aside from Mikal Bridges, who started to in order keep his consecutive game streak going (638 games) no other starter played as Orlando qualified for the playoffs. Brown’s message was well received by his team in game 1.
Led by captain Jalen Brunson, the Knicks jumped all over Atlanta as Brunson scored 19 first quarter points and a 30-24 lead. Hawks forward Jalen Johnson kept Atlanta close as he chipped in 8 points. The Hawks gathered themselves as they outscored the Knicks 31-27 in the second quarter to cut the halftime lead to 2, 57-55. After scoring only 5 points in the opening frame, Atlanta’s guard CJ Mc Collum scored 12 with teammate center Onyeka Okongwu adding 8. Knicks forward OG Anunoby finished the half with 11. New York’s center Karl-Anthony Towns had a quiet first half scoring only 6s points. That would change for him and the team in the second half.
CJ Is The New Knicks Fan Villain
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Towns would score 8 points as the Knicks took a 83-74 third quarter lead. Atlanta only scored 19 points. With help from the bench, the Knicks would come away with the 113-102 win. Knicks Jordan scored 8 of the 20 that the bench contributed. All 5 Knicks starters scored in double figures led by Brunson’s game high 28. Towns finished with 25 and Josh Hart had the only double-double with 10 points and a game high 14 rebounds. McCollum finished with 26.
The Knicks outscored Atlanta 22-13 in fast break points. Said Brown, “it allowed us to get out and run and attack them in transition. That’s something we have to do while communicating for as close to 48 minutes as possible.”
Things Got Testy Between Knicks And Atlanta
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Towns was impressed with the balanced scoring. “We did a great job as a team just fighting and continuing to find ways to score and also impact winning,” he said.
Game 2 was eerily similar to game 1 with New York looking to go ahead 2-0 before the series shifted back to Atlanta for games 3 and 4. Said Brunson’s before the game, “we know they’re going to be ready for games 2.” He was right as the Hawks stunned the Knicks in game 2 to even the series at 1 game apiece.
As they did in game one, the Knicks jumped out early, taking a 11-point lead and finishing the first quarter with a 32-23 lead. Bridges scored 8 and back-up center Mitchell Robinson coming off the bench made an immediate impact as he scored 6 points coming away with 4 rebounds. Hawks McCollum led Atlanta with 7 and quickly became the fans new nemesis.
Although New York took a 7-point halftime lead (61-54) CJ got under the skin of the sold-out crowd as he finished the half with 18 points. It looked like the Knicks would leave MSG with a 2-0 series lead free taking a 91-79 lead going into the last quarter. McCollum and Atlanta had other plans.
The Hawks would outscore the Knicks 28-15 to come away with the 107-106 stunning victory. McCollum who was serenaded with “EFF CJ” in the last quarter, every time he touched the ball or went to the free throw line. He finished with a game high 32 points. Said McCollum of the unflattering chant, “l’m no villain, I’m a guy with two kids and a wife. I think it’s admiration. Great, passionate fans in a hostile environment. It’s fun, it’s basketball, it’s the playoffs. If anything, l think it’s a sign of respect.”
The Knicks picked the wrong time to go cold as they shot only 32% from the 3-point line (11-34) and missed 10 free throws (17-27). None bigger than when down 101-100, Anunoby missed his 2 free throw attempts that would have tied or given them the lead. After McCollum missed his 2 free throws and down by 1, Josh Hart (second straight double-double game) came down with the rebound with 7.1 seconds left. New York had no time out left. Hart finds Bridges on the left side who had a good, uncontested look. Unfortunately, it hit the side of basket at the buzzer. Said Bridges of the miss, “yeah, l just missed it. I have nothing wrong with it. Just have to make it the next time. Just tried to get to the spot with time going out. Just try to get a nice shot, a rhythm shot.” Hart was more direct and disappointed. “It’s a game we should have won. In the playoffs, we can’t give away games.”
Game 3 takes place Thursday night in Atlanta. The last time in the Hawks building, New York came away with a last second win as McCollum’s last second, game winning basket was waived off. With game 4 also taking place in Atlanta, the last thing the Knicks need is to go down 2-1 in the series.
Recent Comments