New York Knicks Post Game: Franchise-Long Losing Streak Snapped Against New Orleans Pelicans
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New York Knicks Post Game: Franchise-Long Losing Streak Snapped Behind 24 From Carmelo Anthony
It has finally happened; the New York Knicks have ended their lengthy losing streak. The franchise record 16-game losing streak was finally snapped on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday evening, as the Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans. A huge monkey has been lifted off the backs of the coaching staff and players, as it had been over a month since their last victory. The Knicks record is still an abysmal 6-36, but getting back into the win column has got to be a great feeling. Here are some takeaways from the victory Monday night.
Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony
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It is no secret that Anthony is dealing with a knee injury. The severity isn’t crystal clear, but there has been some talk that he will eventually require surgery to fix it. Anthony would like to put it off as long as possible, and while it may not be beneficial for the franchise long term to allow him to, it definitely is nice for the fans to see him out there trying to turn things around on the court.
For at least one night, he was able to, as the led the Knicks to a victory Monday with a game-high 24 points. He stuffed the stat sheet in virtually every category, adding nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in 36 minutes. No one knows how much longer Anthony will be on the court for, but as long as he is out there he will continue producing at a high level.
-End The Losing
The Knicks finally snapped the franchise’s longest losing streak at 16 games. There was 38 days in between wins for the team, as the last one came December 12th against the Boston Celtics. It was their first win in 2015, as the Knicks were the last NBA team to win in the new year. It does not signal a turn for a playoff push, but ending that losing streak and getting back into the win column will do wonders for a team’s morale.
-10-Day Contract Players Step Up
With the Knicks record standing where it is, Phil Jackson began the tear-down of the roster sooner than people had thought he would. Trading Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, while also waiving Samuel Dalembert, the Knicks have a different look from their last win. It opened up roster spots that Jackson chose to fill with players on 10-day contracts. On this day, they paid huge dividends.
Louis Amundson, Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway, the three Knicks on 10-day contracts, all came up huge Monday against the Pelicans. Amundson and Galloway were inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season, and all three were relied upon heavily. All three played at least 22 minutes, with Galloway getting 31.
Galloway had the biggest night of the three, scoring the second most points on the team with 21, adding five rebounds and three assists. Amundson and Thomas both had an impact on the defensive end, combining for one steal and three blocks, while also pulling down six rebounds.
-Better Times On Horizon?
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The Knicks caught a break tonight against the Pelicans, as they were without the supremely talented Anthony Davis and starting point guard Jrue Holiday. The Knicks know first-hand how much injuries hurt, and they were finally able to take advantage of a team hurting instead of it being the other way around.
The good vibes from tonight could be parlayed into some extended success, as the schedule will lighten up through the end of the month; the Knicks will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers and Celtics again in seven of the next eight games. With a victory now under their belt, and the roster getting healthier as Amar’e Stoudemire was again able to play with Anthony, the Knicks shouldn’t have to wait another 38-days for their next victory.