Knicks Rally But Can’t Climb Over the Mountain in Denver
|
Denver Nuggets 111, New York Knicks 104  
The Knicks played at a high altitude for the second straight night with an injury-depleted roster. Unfortunately, the Nuggets had a full squad and are used to playing in the Mile High City.
A night after overcoming a 24-point deficit and nearly defeating the Jazz, the Knicks fell behind by double digits early against Denver. This time, however, they were unable to regain the lead despite another incredible comeback effort in a 111-104 road loss on Tuesday night. “I thought we played extremely hard and we gave ourselves a chance,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We didn’t get a couple things going for us down the stretch, and they hit some big shots and got some big calls. That’s about it.” Playing without Larry Hughes (strained right ankle), Quentin Richardson (sprained left ankle) and Eddy Curry (sore left knee), the Knicks struggled offensively and couldn’t stop the hot-shooting Nuggets throughout much of the first half as they fell behind by 27 points. But similar to Monday’s loss in Utah, the Knicks turned their defensive intensity up and began hitting shots to make things interesting. They went on a 26-3 run from late in the second quarter through halftime before eventually cutting the deficit to three with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter. After getting within six points on three different occasions in the fourth quarter and following a few questionable calls and non-calls late in the game, Wilson Chandler’s dunk was blocked and Nate Robinson couldn’t hit a crucial 3-pointer in the closing minute to keep the Knicks alive. “A team like the Knicks, we knew they were going to make a run,” said Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who scored 29 points. “A fast-paced team like that made shots. They need a lot of possessions and they want a lot of possessions. That’s the way they play. We had to get control on the defensive end, and that’s what we did.” Robinson scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the final period, while Al Harrington finished the night with 23. David Lee recorded another double-double for the Knicks, who were energetic throughout the second half despite playing with only seven players in their fourth game in five nights. “The altitude got us kind of winded, so we had to catch that second breath,” said Chandler, who matched his season average with 13 points. New York, which went winless on the three-game road trip will have a chance to bounce back and finish the season strong in Saturday’s matinee matchup against the Raptors.
KNICKS KNACKS
Points
30 Rebounds
12 Assists
11 STAT OF THE GAME
For the second straight game, the Knicks' opponent raced out to an early lead by shooting a lights-out 70.0% in the first quarter. The Nuggets also hit four of their five three-point attempts in the opening frame.
TURNING POINT
The Knicks went on a 26-3 run after falling behind by 27 late in the first half. New York eventually cut the deficit to 80-77 with 1:19 left in the third quarter, but that would be the closest they'd get as the Nuggets scored the next 14 points.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Just 58 seconds into the second quarter, former Knick Renaldo Balkman found himself seemingly all alone under the basket when Wilson Chandler came out of nowhere for the block, grabbing the ball while Balkman hit the floor.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
 "We dug ourselves a way big hole. The good thing, they fought back. We only had seven guys available. We played hard.
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni
|
