New York Knicks: Recap, Photo Gallery From Win vs. Hawks

The New York Knicks picked up an impressive victory over the Atlanta Hawks Sunday afternoon. Check out our recap, highlights and photo gallery from the win.

The New York Knicks have had a rough stretch of games recently, losing five of their last six. Their effort defensively has not been there, and their production offensively had been inconsistent as well. One of the teams they struggled against during that stretch was the Atlanta Hawks, who blew the Knicks out 117-98 on December 27th.

Yesterday afternoon, the Knicks were able to exact some revenge on the Hawks, picking up a blowout victory of their own by the score of 111-97. The victory moved the Knicks record to 16-19 on the season, one shy of their total from all of the 2014-15 season. They were able to get things going on both ends of the court once again, as the offense clicked and the defense stepped up, giving up 20 less points this time around than in the first meeting.

The offense flowed today through shooting guard Arron Afflalo. Afflalo had a hot streak in the middle of December, shooting 59.6 percent during the Knicks four-game winning streak. In the next six games, five of which the Knicks lost, Afflalo shot only 31.7 percent, going 20-63 from the field. Against the Hawks Sunday, Afflalo got back on track.

Watch as Arron Afflalo scorches the Hawks for a season-high 38 points in a #Knicks win!https://t.co/pH0O04fCO5
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 4, 2016

Afflalo poured in a season-high 38 points, as the Hawks had no answer for him defensively. Afflalo hit the first seven three-pointers he attempted in the game, making 14-of-17 overall in the game. This outburst came out of nowhere, as he scored only 47 points in the last six games combined.

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Afflalo led the way for what was an efficient Knicks offensive attack. He was one of four starters to score in double-figures, as Carmelo Anthony scored 11, Kristaps Porzinigs had 14 and Robin Lopez scored 16. The Knicks shot 50 percent overall from the field, and 42.3 percent from deep.

Lopez was able to record his second double-double of the season, pulling down 11 rebounds to go with his 16 points. It was only the third time this season Lopez went for double-digit rebounds, as he continues to do the dirty work that does not show up in the box score. He also added five assists tonight as he gets more comfortable handling the ball at the top of the Knicks offense.

Lopez also added three blocks to spearhead the Knicks effort defensively. The Knicks would block seven shots total in the game and add eight steals, three of which Anthony had while Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant had two each. They held the Hawks to 44 percent shooting in the game, and were able to limit their opportunities from deep, as the Hawks made only 8-of-26 from deep for 30 percent.

The highlight play of the night defensively for the Knicks came courtesy of Porzingis. Jeff Teague took off for a monster dunk but Porzingis denied him at the rim to avoid being put in a poster.

.@kporzee want be on any posters today. What a block on the Teague dunk attempt #ATLvsNYK #Knicks https://t.co/0CCQI30VPH
— Eazy-E (@eric_d_veal) January 4, 2016

Teague had a poor shooting game, making only 3-of-12 for nine points. Paul Millsap led the way with 19 points for the Hawks, going 6-of-13. Kent Bazemore had an identical 6-of-13 from the field for 18 points, as he was a thorn in the Knicks side throughout the afternoon. Kyle Korver was able to end his lengthy shooting slump, as he had missed all 18 three-point attempts in the past two games before knocking down 2-of-6 against the Knicks.

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This was a big win for the Knicks who needed to snap their streak of poor play. They will be facing off with the Hawks again Tuesday as the teams will be playing for a third time in nine days. Will they bring the same effort and intensity in Atlanta this time around?

We will have to wait and find out. Until then, enjoy some pictures from the Knicks victory Sunday afternoon over the Hawks.