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Knicks Post Game Recap: Kevin Martin, Timberwolves Blow Knicks Out Of Target Center

By Kenneth Teape

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Knicks Post Game Recap: Kevin Martin Leads Timberwolves To Blowout Victory Over Knicks; November 19th, 2014

Well, another night, another tough New York Knicks performance to watch. A night after getting thoroughly embarrassed for 2.5 quarters against the Milwaukee Bucks and fighting back at the end, the Knicks just stayed on the embarrassment route against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who took over the game in the second quarter and never looked back. It is another embarrassing loss for the Knicks, as the Timberwolves were without three starters and still blew the Knicks out of the Target Center. With the loss, the Knicks have now lost two in a row, and their record falls to 3-10 on the season.

Matchup of the Game Recap:

Iman Shumpert had his worst game of the season, struggling to the tune of 1-11 from the field. He did knock down half his three pointers again, but missed all nine of his shots inside the three-point line. He added four rebounds and only one assist and steal, ending with a game-worst -21 plus/minus ratio on the night. On the other hand, Kevin Martin had it going all night. He knocked down 14-20 on the night, including 7-11 from deep. Interesting enough, he struggled at the free throw line, making only 2-6, for 37 points. This is back-to-back games of at least 34+ points for Martin. He also added four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Nov 19, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward

Amar’e Stoudemire

(1) dunks the ball in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game: Amar’e Stoudemire

There weren’t many positives for the Knicks tonight, but Stoudemire was one of them. Stoudemire added really strong scoring punch off the bench for the Knicks tonight, pouring in 19 points in only 20 minutes. He made 7-9 from the field and 5-6 from the foul line, adding three rebounds. Stoudemire has been consistent for the Knicks this season, as he continues to score efficiently and actually leads the team in rebounding, even though he plays only 23.4 minutes per game.

-Free Throw Attempts

For once, the Knicks were not on the losing side of the free throw attempts. Tonight they actually out shot the Bucks from the foul line, attempting 28 compared to 22 for the Bucks. They converted 22 of them for 78.6 percent clip, while the Timberwolves made 16 for a 72.7 percent finish.

-Plagued by Turnovers

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Turnovers killed the Knicks tonight. It was the only stat of the night that wasn’t similar between the two teams, as the Knicks committed 22, while the Timberwolves committed only 14. Minnesota was able to convert off the Knicks turnovers as well, scoring 28 points off those turnovers while the Knicks scored 17. That 11-point difference is an immense one.

-Three-Point Trends Continue

If there is one positive to be taken away from the early season struggles for the Knicks, it is their three-point shooting. The Knicks once again were on a torrid pace from beyond the arc, knocking down 9-16 against the T’Wolves tonight. Carmelo Anthony led the way, making 4-5 en route to a team-high 20 points. Pablo Prigioni also knocked down multiple three-pointers for the Knicks.

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But for as well as the Knicks have been shooting three-pointers, they have defended it just as, if not more, poorly. They have been in the basement of the NBA in opponents’ three-point shooting percentage, and that will not change tonight. They allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 11-22 from deep for a cool 50 percent. Martin was a one-man wrecking crew from deep, making seven alone, as Mo Williams also knocked double two.

The Knicks will have a couple of days off before hosting the winless Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

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