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Knicks Post Game: Second Half Struggles Doom Knicks Again vs. Atlanta Hawks

By Kenneth Teape

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Knicks Post Game vs. Atlanta Hawks November 10th, 2014

85. 27. 91. 125. Final

It is becoming a nightly routine for the New York Knicks. You can take a recap from any of their losses, change the team name of the opponent and it would fit. Once again, and for the second straight game to the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks had a disappointing second half that led to another disappointing loss. Check out our takeaways from the game tonight that runs the Knicks’ losing streak to five, and their overall record to 2-6.

Matchup of Game Recap:

Carmelo Anthony and Paul Millsap went head-to-head and had a matchup you would expect from players as talented as the two. Anthony put together a full game, stuffing the stat sheet and playing the whole second half trying to will the Knicks to the win. Instead it was Millsap who pushed his team to victory, scoring 12 of his 19 points in the decisive third quarter.

Nov 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Anthony was all over the court tonight for the Knicks, as he put together arguably his best all-around game of the season. He approached a triple-double, scoring 25 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists. It was not his most efficient night from the field for Anthony, who shot 11-25, but it is better than the last couple of games. The ball movement he exhibited tonight though was encouraging as he got his teammates involved; they just couldn’t pull it out in the end.

–Iman Shumpert Continues Strong Play

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Shumpert came into the season with a brighter outlook, and so far he is playing basketball the way the Knicks had hoped he would last season. Like he has shown all season, Shumpert was extremely confident offensively, knocking down 50 percent of his three point attempts and 8-12 overall for 18 points. He also added five assists and three rebounds as Shumpert continues to be the most consistent performer for the Knicks this season.

-Shooting Struggles

The Knicks overall shooting percentage on the night wasn’t awful, as they made 36-83 from the field for 43.4 percent. But the actual shooting of the ball was not good for the Knicks, as they struggled from both the foul line and three-point line. The Knicks got to the foul line rarely, but did not make the most of their chances there as they knocked down only 7-12 from the charity stripe. From the three point line, where the Knicks actually led the NBA in prior to the game, they finished 6-26. Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. both went 2-4 from beyond the arc, while J.R. Smith converted the other two out of his eight attempts. Anthony, Pablo Prigioni and Cleanthony Early all missed multiple three-point attempts on the night.

On the other hand, the Hawks made the shots when they needed to. They attempted 28 free throws and knocked down 27 of them, icing away the game and taking home the victory.

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-Second Half Struggles Continue

For the second straight time in the third quarter, the Knicks let the game get away from them against the Hawks. The end result was only a five point deficit in the third quarter, but it was worse in the flow of the game. The Knicks actually opened up a 47-40 lead early in the second half. It was quickly erased, as the Hawks finished the quarter on a 24-12 run to take control of the game. The Knicks have actually been outscored in seven out of eight third quarters this season, a troubling trend they struggled with last season as well.

In the fourth quarter the Knicks were able to get it close a couple of times, but were unable to get over the hump. The Hawks knocked down timely three-pointers, as the Knicks defense was good overall but not crisp enough when it needed to be.

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