Knicks Have Heartbreaking Weekend Against Spurs and Thunder

With the Spurs obtaining revenge on the Knicks for a loss earlier in the season with a 101-92 victory Friday night, and Kevin Durant (and the Thunder) breaking the Knicks’ hearts with a 101-98 win Saturday, the team is now suffering a six game losing streak.

Though losing to these two teams is nothing to be ashamed of, the matchups came at a particularly tough time for the Knicks, as they had already lost four straight. Coincidentally, however, the team played better against the two Western Conference powerhouses than they did against any other team during the losing streak.

The Knicks’ defense against the Spurs was probably among the best defense the team has displayed all-season long. By pestering and holding the Spurs to just 101 points, the Knicks would have normally put themselves (one of the NBA’s highest scoring teams) in position to win.

However, as good as their defense may have been, that is perhaps how out of sorts the Knicks’ offense was.

Wilson Chandler, the Knick who has been emerging into somewhat of a go-to guy, continued his slump as he was relegated to the bench. The new assignment did not seem to help, as he shot 3 for 10. Though he returned to the starting lineup against the Thunder, Chandler did not fair much better, shooting 2 of 8 in just 18 minutes of play.

Amar'e Stoudemire, who has also struggled from the field recently, had his string of 26 straight 20+ point games snapped. He scored 18 points in each of the two games against the Spurs and Thunder. His continued trouble with the officials (or officials' troubles with him, depending which way you look at it) did not help the Knicks.

Although Raymond Felton fought his way to a team-leading 23 points against the Spurs, he shot just 8 for 21. Against the Thunder, he still struggled, scoring just 10 points making just 5 of 16 from the field.

Despite his struggles, it was in fact Felton who took the Knicks’ final shot against the Thunder with the game tied at 98. Throwing up a shot with over six seconds left, Felton’s miss gave Durant enough time to convert on a dagger of a three-point field goal to put the Knicks away.

While the Knicks played under par through the first four games of their turbulent losing streak, loses to the Spurs and Thunder (two teams that the Knicks had beaten already, this season, in fact) may have been expected.

The pleasant surprise, however, was how resilient the Knicks played after coming off of four straight loses. In both games, the Knicks put themselves in fair enough position to win.

Nevertheless, a loss is a loss and all the team can do is build upon experience and learn from any mistakes that may have occurred. The Knicks will have an easier assignment on their hands as they look to bounce back at home again John Wall and the Wizards Monday night.