The New York Knicks embarked on a five-game, cross-country road trip last week in a test of their consistency.
But stability remains elusive as ever for the Knicks as they conclude the trek Friday afternoon with a visit to the Charlotte Hornets in NBA Cup Group A.
Both teams were off on Thanksgiving after losing Wednesday night. The Knicks fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 129-114, while the host Hornets saw their furious fourth-quarter comeback bid come up short as they were edged by the Miami Heat, 98-94.
The loss continued a frustrating pattern of wins followed by losses on the road trip for the Knicks. New York has lopsided victories over a pair of contenders in the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets but also endured a 121-106 loss last Saturday to the Utah Jazz, whose 4-14 record is the second-worst in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks are in a virtual tie for seventh place with the Nuggets in the West but seemed vulnerable Wednesday without superstar Luka Doncic (right wrist), starting small forward Klay Thompson (left foot plantar fasciitis) and center Daniel Gafford (illness).
But Dallas led for the final 43-plus minutes Wednesday and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the final three quarters against the Knicks, who shot just 46.5 percent from the field (40-of-86), including 24.1 percent (7-of-29) from 3-point land. New York shot a blistering 60.9 percent (56-of-92) in Monday’s 145-118 rout of the Nuggets, including 52.8 percent (19-of-36) from beyond the arc.
“We got in such a big hole and then by the time we got a rhythm offensively in the second half, we were in too big of a hole,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
“It’s what the league is. That’s our challenge, We’ve been on the road a long time. Early start (Friday), got to be ready to go.”
LaMelo Ball is on a heater of late and averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game this season. He drilled seven 3-pointers against Miami and scored 32 points after dropping 44 against Orlando and 50 at Milwaukee. In the process, Ball attempted 113 shots in three games and leads the league in personal fouls with 70.
When he’s not in the game because of foul trouble, the Hornets lose a big part of their offensive identity.
The Hornets remained persistent Wednesday night. Charlotte, which is in 12th place in the East with a 6-12 record, is one of just four teams in the conference that’s not within two games of sixth place and the last guaranteed playoff spot.
The Heat seemed to take control building a 20-point lead with a 31-11 run bridging the second and third quarters. The Hornets overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit and took a 94-92 lead on Tidjane Salaun’s 3-pointer with 42 seconds left. Tyler Herro responded with a 3-pointer for the Heat before forcing a turnover by Brandon Miller with six seconds remaining.
Herro split a pair of free throws but Cody Martin missed two free throws two seconds later for the Hornets, who have dropped three straight and five of six. Four of the losses have been by 11 points or fewer.
“We are never out of a game because of our fight, because of our talent,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “I loved the effort of that group.”
The Knicks are 2-0 in Group A action following a 111-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 12 and a 124-122 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 15. New York is slated to complete Group A play Tuesday against the Orlando Magic, who are also 2-0 heading into Friday’s game against the Nets.
The Hornets are 0-2 in Group A play after a 114-89 loss to the Magic on Nov 12 and a 116-115 loss to the Nets on Nov 19. Charlotte hosts the 76ers in the final Group A game for both teams Tuesday night.
–Field Level Media
