Knicks allow transition barrage, fall 115-107 to Heat
knicks-notebook-defensive-lapses-miami-loss
The New York Knicks dropped a 115-107 decision to the Miami Heat on Sunday after surrendering 45 fast-break points and sending the hosts to the free-throw line 31 times. Head coach Mike Brown said the disparity in possessions, not poor shooting, decided the game.
“We talked about both of those things at halftime and then we gave up 15 free throws just in the third quarter alone,” Brown said. “It’s hard to beat a good team on its floor when you give up that many transition baskets and put them on the line 31 times.”
New York connected on only 15 of 54 three-point attempts and leaned heavily on Jalen Brunson, who scored 37 points. The game was tied when Brunson exited in the third quarter, but Miami seized control while he rested.
“We were a step slow in transition and undisciplined on drives,” Brunson said. “It’s early, but we have to be ready the moment the ball goes up. The mistakes are very fixable.”
Brown continued to mix his starting lineup, inserting 7-foot center Ariel Hukporti to counter Miami’s size. Hukporti, who started the opener in Cleveland but sat out Friday against Boston, played 10 scoreless minutes.
Josh Hart, wearing a splint on his surgically repaired right ring finger, is 0-for-6 from deep through two games. He blamed conditioning after missing nearly the entire preseason with a back injury. “Most of my shots have been short,” Hart said. “When I get my legs under me, those shots won’t be.”
The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III devoted his Sunday coverage to tracking OG Anunoby’s every move, offering a detailed look at the forward’s two-way impact.
Source: HoopsRumors
