New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Carmelo Anthony vs. Lebron James Is Matchup To Watch
Nov 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Better Fourth Quarter Execution
In both previous meetings this season, the Knicks were delivered slow, painful defeats. The Cavaliers eventually imposed their will on the Knicks as the game wore on, and they would eventually crumble.
In the first meeting the Knicks actually opened up an early 15 point lead, but seemed to take their foot off the gas. The Cavaliers eventually wore them down, as the Knicks scored only 11 points in the final 10:04 of the fourth quarter. That kind of execution would make it difficult to defeat the worst teams in the NBA, let alone one that is led by a player as talented as James.
In the second meeting, it was more of the same. The Knicks held a six point lead going into the fourth quarter on the backs of 32-17 second quarter. They held a lead as big as eight in the fourth quarter, but it was once again a struggle. They scored only 12 points in the whole quarter, as their defense kept them in the game but the offense fell flat once again when the Cavaliers turned things on.
The Knicks could really use Carmelo Anthony to come up big in the fourth quarter, as he has disappeared in the first two meetings; he has almost as many fouls, four, as points, six. He has shot an abysmal 2-of-11 in the fourth quarters as he has come up woefully short when the Knicks have needed him most.
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Yes it is not all of his fault, as the Knicks still too often will dribble out the shot clock then throw the ball to Anthony with seconds left to try and bail them out. They need to execute better and trust the offense that they used to gain the lead in the first place. Part of it is on Derek Fisher as the head coach; he needs to get his team in the best position to perform and have his best players on the court when it is crunch time.