ROAD TO NOWHERE
KNICKS CRUMBLE LATE VS. BULLS, FALL TO 2-11 AWAY FROM MSG
CHICAGO — It ended with a missed free throw by Jarrett Jack and a weird 3-point shot by Enes Kanter that Jeff Hornacek called in the huddle. It ended with the Knicks coach calling out his team for not being tough or “physical’’ enough late in games away from the Garden.
It ended in disaster — one of the season’s worst losses. The Knicks led the Bulls almost the entire way Wednesday night, primed to bounce back from their Christmas dud.
But anything that can go wrong will go wrong for the Knicks on the road, and they collapsed in the final five minutes to lose another last-second heartbreaker, 92-87, at United Center.
The Knicks, up 15 late in the second period, missed their final eight field-goal attempts, scoring one point in the final 4:23 as everyone, including Kristaps Porzingis, went cold in a 14-point fourth quarter.
“We got to be more physical and hit guys,’’ an agitated Hornacek said. “That’s all across the board we need to do that. Enes comes out of every game with a bloody face. He’s getting hit, and I don’t think they’re calling it. It’s a disappointing loss.’’
Porzingis finished with 22 points, but shot 9of-22 in a frigid finish. He scored just one field goal and two points in the final period and again didn’t get the ball with the game on the line in the final possession.
The final seconds were particularly dreadful with point guard Jarrett Jack missing a key free throw and the Knicks settling for a Kanter 3-pointer off an inbounds pass from Michael Beasley with 7.9 seconds left.
A few minutes earlier, Kanter suffered a bloody lip from Robin Lopez and his second 3point attempt of the season looked just as ugly.
Afterward, Hornacek said he felt the team didn’t play with enough fight down the stretch. He explained Kanter was the second option on the play — with Doug McDermott the primary guy. Kanter didn’t set the second screen for him properly, Hornacek said.
“We got to set screens throughout the game, especially late in the game,’’ Hornacek said. “When I talk to the guys, the game becomes different late in the game. Those screens that you might think might be illegal early in the game, they’re not going to call those at the end of the game. Sometimes maybe you don’t understand late in games how physical it’s going to be, you go up for shots you got to be strong. You got to expect you’re going to get hit. You’ve got to finish.”
Kanter had the open look and Hornacek was fine with him launching the key shot.
“I don’t mind Enes taking the shot,’’ Hornacek said. “He can shoot 3s, but not as the main option. I’ve seen him make those 3s.’’
Beasley claimed Kanter was “the first option’’ on the play, though amended it later to “whoever was open’’ after being told Kanter was the third option.
“He’s been working on his 3s in practice all season long,’’ Beasley said. “He had a good look at it.’’
Kanter, who finished with just four points after his 32-point explosion on Christmas, said Hornacek called his name in the huddle.
“Coach drew it knowing my man would be way back,’’ Kanter said. “If KP’s not open, Doug’s not open, just shoot it. I said OK. We talked about it. I’m comfortable, but it’s the coach’s decision. If he says start taking 3s I’ll start taking 3s.’’
The Knicks (17-17) fell to 2-11 on the road and will face the mighty Spurs (24-11) Thursday in San Antonio on the second night of a back-toback.
Porzingis was on a mission early, scoring 11 first-quarter points, attacking the basket and shooting confidently from beyond the 3-point line. He finished with 15 at halftime on 6-of-11 shooting as the Knicks built a 15-point lead with 4:05 left in the second quarter.
“We got stagnant,’’ Porzingis said. “I should’ve done a lot of better. I should’ve gotten buckets at the end.’’