Mitchell Robinson referred to as it a step again. Tom Thibodeau pointed to his gamers’ lack of changes. Jalen Brunson felt the Knicks weren’t serving to one another almost sufficient.
One factor is obvious: They didn’t carry out in addition to they did on a latest five-game highway journey to maintain the optimistic momentum going Friday evening in opposition to the Damian Lillard-less Path Blazers.
As an alternative, it was extra of the identical on the Backyard, a blown lead and defensive issues resulting in a 132-129 additional time loss to Portland. The Knick, again below .500 at 9-10, have now dropped 4 of their final 5 at residence and have but to defeat anybody of be aware at MSG.
“We simply took a step again,” Robinson stated. “Our protection, we allowed guys to get within the paint, stuff like that. We acquired to be higher.”
Whereas the Path Blazers didn’t have the companies of their famous person guard — Lillard is coping with a calf pressure — Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant carried out like stars, and so they acquired the whistles to show it. The duo mixed for 82 factors and Grant (career-high 44 factors) tried 28 of the Path Blazers’ 51 free throws because the Western Convention staff rallied from a 14-point deficit.
The Knicks have been whistled for 35 fouls and 5 completely different gamers dedicated at the least 4 in Portland’s parade to the free-throw line.
“We've to regulate to how the sport is being referred to as,” Thibodeau stated. “Typically it’s going to be tight, typically it’s not as tight. However we will’t maintain repeating [our mistakes]. In the event that they’re calling it that method, we now have to regulate.”
In additional time, Simons hit a pair of 3-pointers on his technique to 38 factors and the Knicks trailed by as many eight. They by no means acquired nearer than three in a futile comeback try within the closing seconds.
Solely one among their huge three, Brunson, carried out properly. He had 32 factors, and almost gained the sport on the finish of regulation with a brief jumper on the horn that rolled off the rim. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett didn’t have it, specifically Barrett. He shot 6 of twenty-two from the sector and is now 36-for-114 in his final seven video games. Immanuel Quickley scored 18 factors off the bench for the Knicks, who not solely couldn’t defend with out fouling, but additionally allowed 12 offensive rebounds (resulting in 17 second-chance factors) — six to Portland guard Josh Hart.
“You bought to place a physique on him,” Thibodeau stated. “We knew that going into the sport.”
The tide turned within the second quarter and the Knicks up 14. Over the ultimate 5:54 of the primary half, their protection was penalized for its over-aggressiveness and their offense slowed down. The Path Blazers scored 23 of the stanza’s closing 31 factors, with Grant scoring 9. Of Portland’s 37 factors within the quarter, 18 got here from the charity stripe.
“Onerous to win like that,” Thibodeau stated.
The largest two on the line got here within the closing seconds of regulation, after Brunson had given the Knicks a two-point lead with 13.7 seconds left. Simons was fouled by Quentin Grimes and tied the sport. Thibodeau challenged the decision, but it surely wasn’t overturned. The Knicks by no means led once more, dropping their third residence sport this season when main by double digits within the first half.
“We positively have to regulate to it and we now have to regulate nonetheless they're calling it,” Brunson stated, referring to the officers. “Calling fouls like that you just’ve acquired to again off, you'll be able to’t be so aggressive. It’s all proper. Received to study. You'll be able to’t foul or seem to foul. That’s it.”
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