MISSING THE BIG PIECES!
Minus KP & Enes, Knicks get Rocked ROCKETS 117 KNICKS 102
HOUSTON — Riding Michael Beasley could only take the Knicks so far. And by far, we mean until the second quarter before another big lead dissolved and another road blowout loss materialized.
Simply put: the Knicks, losers of two straight for the first time since Oct. 24, were outmatched and predictably run out of the gym by the superior Rockets, 117-102. James Harden (37 points, nine assists) feasted on New York’s backcourt like Thanksgiving leftovers.
“We knew we were going to have to play an almost perfect game,” coach Jeff Hornacek said.
With Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter both sitting because of back issues, the Knicks looked like they conceded when they handed in their lineup card. But the Rockets (15-4) were caught napping, and New York (10-9) briefly took advantage.
Beasley, starting in place of Porzingis, immediately went on a tear, dropping 17 points in the first quarter – and 24 by the half – as the Knicks stormed out to a 29-7 lead after about seven minutes. It was the second straight night the Knicks scored 39 points in the first quarter. About two hours later, it was also the second straight night the Knicks collapsed.
“We got the job done,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said before acknowledging his team might’ve overlooked New York in the beginning. “Psychologically, sometimes when they’re missing players like Porzingis and Kanter, you come out not quite ready to roll.”
Still, this Knicks’ meltdown was more predictable than the disaster in Atlanta. The Rockets are one of the best teams in the NBA, defined by their breakneck pace that gave New York fits. Not surprisingly, the Knicks’ early lead was kaput by the second quarter. Houston then took control by winning the third, 37-13.
“That’s a tough team to play,” Hornacek said. “They’re one of the best in the league and you have to do a lot of things right and you can’t have breakdowns.”
The silver lining for the Knicks is they don’t have to play the Rockets again this season, losing their two-game series by a combined 37 points.
Beasley, who has often been out of the rotation, finished with a game-high 30 points but declined to use the opportunity to publicly lobby for more playing time. Prior to the season, Beasley bragged about his scoring prowess, comparing himself to LeBron James and said, “I’m your favorite player’s favorite player.” But he was more subdued Saturday.
“I’m just doing what coach asked me to do,” Beasley repeated in the locker room. “No matter if I play 36 minutes or if I don’t play in 36 games, I still have to be in the foxhole with my fellas.”
The Knicks, who’ve lost five straight overall to Houston, fell to 1-6 on the road this season but have a three-game homestretch upcoming against Portland, Miami and Orlando.