Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Knicks Open Season With Win

The Knicks will leave Toronto having won their first game of the 2010-2011 season, 98-93.  It wasn't the most impressive win and it came against a team that will likely be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.  But a win in the 82 game season is just that, and when a team is looking to sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. every game counts.

Despite almost giving the game away at the end with defensive lapses as well as poor decision making and ball movement on offense, Toronto was only able to make the final result closer than it could have been.

A couple of thoughts: 10 Knicks got on the court tonight, which is high compared to Mike D'Antoni's  team last season, and particularly surprising considering Anthony Randolph did not dress with a minor ankle injury.

Wilson Chandler was left out of the Knicks' starting 5, but still led the team with 22 points off the bench.   Amar'e Stoudamire had a tame double double (19 points, 10 boards, and 9 turnovers aren't $100 million numbers).

The difference tonight?  Free throws.  The Knicks only got to the line 17 times, but shot 88% making 15.  Toronto went 18/24 with key misses in the fourth quarter.

4 comments:

MC ENTIRE said...

These are the teams the Knicks have to beat. They are the better team with better players. I'll take an ugly win on the road any day in the NBA.

The team has lots of new pieces so they played and practiced a lot together this summer to mesh this season earlier than later and I think that will pay off for them.

Good win on the road. I like the early test vs. Boston. This will be a nice measuring stick to see how we do against one of the league's best on the road.

Ferris said...

Who was the one player who showed up almost as late as eddy curry? Was it Felton?

I'd look farther down the road for measuring sticks, 12/15 and 12/17 the Knicks host the celtics and the heat. That will show what this team is made of!

Ferris said...

Who was the one player who showed up almost as late as eddy curry? Was it Felton?

I'd look farther down the road for measuring sticks, 12/15 and 12/17 the Knicks host the celtics and the heat. That will show what this team is made of!

MC ENTIRE said...

agreed. way too early to really know how good/bad the Knicks will be this year, but I like them playing some decent opponents early.

Portland will be a tough match up for the home opener. Traveling east could be an added advantage for the Knicks.