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Knicks Post Game Recap: Trey Burke Buzzer Beater Gives Knicks 7th Straight Loss

By Kenneth Teape

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Knicks Post Game Recap vs. Utah Jazz; November 14th, 2014

118. Final. 100. 27. 102

The Knicks found a new way to fall short and send their fans home upset Friday night, as they lost to the Utah Jazz courtesy of a Trey Burke three-pointer at the buzzer. The Knicks showed a little resiliency, as they went down by as many as 13 in the first quarter. They showed heart, but once again came up short as they came out of the game with yet another loss. It is their seventh straight loss, and their record on the season drops to 2-8.

Matchup of the Game Recap:

This one never got going, as Iman Shumpert was forced from the game in the opening minute with a bruised hip, and he was unable to return. Alec Burks had a quite night, scoring nine points with four rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes.

Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Nov 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Utah Jazz point guard Alec Burks (10) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony put on a show offensively, as he scored an NBA season-high 46 points. It came efficiently, as Anthony shot 16-26 from the field, making his lone three-point attempt, and shooting 13-16 from the foul line. The Jazz just didn’t have an answer for Anthony in the post, as he abused Gordon Hayward for most of the night. Anthony scored 30 of his 46 points in the second half as the Knicks tried to get over the hump and end this losing streak. Anthony added seven rebounds and one assist and steal to round out his stat line for the night.

–Shumpert Injury

The injury to Shumpert did not look good, and to hear it is only a bruised hip is a fortunate outcome. It clearly hurt the Knicks tonight, as they didn’t have anyone to really slow down Hayward, who led the Jazz with 33 points on 11-18 shooting, 2-6 from deep, and 9-10 from the foul line. The Knicks need Shumpert back as soon as possible, as he is their best perimeter defender and arguably their best player through the first 10 games. His status for this weekend will most likely be updated Saturday, but official notice may not come until Sunday.

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They need him back also because the other options at shooting guard, J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr., did not look good tonight trying to pick up the slack. Smith was in foul trouble all night, and Hardaway Jr. struggled once again with his shot. Neither offers the play that Shumpert has this season, and it doesn’t look like they will currently.

–Pablo Prigioni Show

Prigioni doesn’t stuff the stat sheets, but when he is on the court for the Knicks good things usually happen. Tonight Prigioni was a one-man wrecking crew to start the fourth quarter, collecting three steals and scoring seven of the first nine Knicks points in the quarter. He scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter as he did as much and more you could ask to try and get the Knicks going. He finished the game with three rebounds, two assists and four steals to go with a game-high tying +16 plus/minus ratio.

–Three-Point Shooting

Nov 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the ball against New York Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early (17) and center Cole Aldrich (45) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Once again, the Knicks defense of the perimeter was an abomination. You cannot even blame this on Shumpert’s injury as the Knicks defense of the perimeter has been a problem all season. Tonight they allowed the Jazz, who came into the game 31.3 percent three-point shooters, to knock down 10-22, or a 45.5 percent clip. The free throw disparity was close tonight, as the end of game flow forced the Knicks to foul some, but once again the three-point shooting defense was the big problem.

–Rotation

It should be noted that Derek Fisher was a little shorthanded tonight, with Amar’e Stoudemire getting a night to rest in addition to Shumpert’s injury. It forced Fisher to go deep into his bench once again, and some players stepped up more than others.

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Everyone played at least seven minutes except Shumpert, and in the extended run Travis Wear and Quincy Acy stood out. Both had productive minutes for the Knicks, bringing energy and capable defense, two things the Knicks sometimes lack. Wear looks to be to a player Fisher is gaining confidence in, as he received some serious run in the fourth quarter, even in the waning minutes of the game. When the Knicks turn things around, expect those two to be a part of the reason why.

The Knicks will be back at it as they welcome the Denver Nuggets, aka Knicks-West, to Madison Square Garden for a Sunday matinee at 1 PM ET.

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