PHILADELPHIA - If the Knicks had lost Friday night, there would have been major explaining to do. Their opponent was the Philadelphia 76ers, who entered the game riding a 22-game losing streak. Not only that, the Knicks led by 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Yet, the Knicks barely escaped. Make it 23 straight losses for Philadelphia, but the Knicks almost blew it, escaping with a 93-92 victory at Wells Fargo Arena. You could almost hear the Knicks breathe a sigh of relief when it ended.
Coach Mike Woodson thought it was safe to pull his starters during the final six minutes. It was not.
With A'mare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler on the bench, the 76ers almost stole one. Philadelphia went on a frantic run during the final four minutes. A 3-pointer by Michael Carter-Williams pulled Philadelphia to within 92-90 with 36 seconds to play, forcing Woodson to put his starters back in. Then, after Iman Shumpert missed a corner jumper, the 76ers called timeout with 13.6 seconds to play, trailing by just 2 points.
However, leave it to the 76ers (15-54) to waste the opportunity. James Anderson drove to the basket and passed to Thaddeus Young in the corner, but he did not seem to be expecting the basketball. Young lost the ball out of bounds with 8.6 seconds to play.
Anthony was fouled intentionally with 7.3 seconds to play. He made the first free throw but missed the second, giving the 76ers one last chance. Carter-Williams launched a 3-pointer that would have tied the score, but it was no good with two seconds to play. Young added a meaningless put-back at the buzzer to make the final margin one point.
The 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers own the largest losing streak in N.B.A. history - 26 straight games. The defeat tied the 76ers for the third-longest streak in league history at 23 with the 1995-96 Memphis Grizzlies, the 1997-98 Denver Nuggets and the 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats. The Cavaliers lost 24 consecutive games in both 1981-82, and 1982-83.
The Knicks looked disinterested during the first half, and took their sweet time establishing their superiority. Then they got sloppy late in the game. Against a better team, it would have cost them.
It was the eighth consecutive victory for the Knicks (29-40), who were led by their front line of Anthony (21 points), Stoudemire (22 points) and Chandler (17 points). Stoudemire has been playing forceful offensive basketball, making aggressive moves, taking high-percentage shots and establishing deep position.
The Knicks are looking for Stoudemire more on the low block, and he is delivering with his best basketball of the season. Stoudemire also had 10 rebounds.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, they are running out of time to catch the Atlanta Hawks for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The first 60 games of the season cannot be erased, and this stretch of solid basketball might be too little, too late. All the Knicks can do is keep winning, and hope the Hawks cool off.
This was not one of Anthony's better performances, but Stoudemire picked up the slack, while Shumpert also gave the Knicks a lift off the bench.
Leading by 72-65 heading into the fourth quarter, the Knicks finally decided to assert their authority. Stoudemire scored while rolling across the middle, then Chandler added a reverse layup that put the Knicks ahead, 76-65.
A few minutes later, the Knicks' lead had grown to 17 points. To the 76ers, that probably seemed like 37 points. They usually do not have enough firepower to overcome large deficits.
But they did not give up. The 76ers are desperate to win anywhere, against anyone. This was almost the night when they finally ended the losing.
Philadelphia also lost a key player in the fourth quarter, when Tony Wroten, their starting point guard, badly turned his ankle while driving to the basket. Wroten was helped off the court by teammates, who had to be wondering what else could go wrong.
The Knicks led, 41-36, at halftime, despite shooting 32.6 percent from the field. Anthony missed 7 of his first 8 shots, but the Knicks could afford against the 76ers. Philadelphia had two players who scored consistently - Carter-Williams and center Henry Sims. They combined for 21 points in the first half to keep the 76ers within striking distance.
Nothing comes easily for the Knicks this season, but on this night, Woodson and the Knicks escaped.
Posted by Unknown on Friday, March 21, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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