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Knicks Heartbreaking Losses Continue vs. Portland Trail Blazers

By Kenneth Teape

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It may be a different night, but it was the same result for the New York Knicks on Sunday night, as they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in excruciating fashion. The Knicks dug themselves an early hole, but climbed out of it quick enough that they were able to stay in the game for the long haul. The game never got away from them, and was actually there for the taking but late game execution was not smooth, and it resulted in another heartbreaking loss. The eight game losing streak the Knicks are currently on pales in comparison to the 13 straight they have lost in games separated by five points or less heading into the final five minutes of the game.

Dec 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni (9) passes the ball away from Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake (25) during first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game: Pablo Prigioni

His stats won’t jump out at you, but he made the Knicks go tonight. He was a team-high leading +10, as he constantly got his teammates in great positions to score the ball. He also has the confidence of Derek Fisher, as Prigioni finished the game as the point guard for the second consecutive game. Prigioni didn’t score tonight, and had only two rebounds, two assists and two steals, but he is the engine that makes the Knicks go, and good things happen when he is on the court.

-Backcourt Struggles

The starting backcourt for the Knicks tonight didn’t produce as much as the team needed, as Jose Calderon and Iman Shumpert both struggled tonight on the court. Calderon didn’t play down the end stretch of the game again, playing only 24 minutes and compiling a stat line of four points with one rebound, three assists and one steal.

Shumpert was able to get his shot going a little bit tonight, making 5-10 from the field for 11 points, but he was sat in favor of the hot hand tonight. He added two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Calderon and Shumpert both registered -14 plus/minus ratios on the night, the worst marks in the game.

-J.R. Gets It Going

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J.R. Smith had his second strong shooting night out of the last three games played, as he scored 20 points off the bench in 25 minutes for the Knicks tonight. Smith was on fire from the field, making 8-12 overall and 3-6 from deep. Smith benefited greatly from the play of Prigioni, who found Smith early and often to get him going offensively.

-STAT Keeps Chugging Along

The only thing that can challenge heart breaking losses for the most consistent thing involving the Knicks this season is the play of Amar’e Stoudemire. Stoudemire tallied yet another double-double, scoring 16 points on 7-11 from the field to go with 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. He also added two assists and two blocks to round out his stat line.

Stoudemire was the only Knicks’ starter tonight to register a positive plus/minus ratio tonight with a +8. He continued to give the Knicks outstanding production no matter the amount of minutes he is being given, or the position or role they are asking him to play.

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-Rebounding Struggles

The Knicks struggles on the boards are well documented, and tonight it was no different against the Blazers, who are the best rebounding team in the NBA. Tonight the Knicks were hurt on the offensive glass, where the Blazers pulled down 16 compared to the four for the Knicks. It decided the game on the last possession, as Robin Lopez pulled down an offensive board to essentially end the game. Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, who pulled down 10 each, didn’t get much help on the glass as no other Knick had more than four; on the contrary, seven different players for the Blazers had at least four rebounds.

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