Hawks vs Knicks

The New York Knicks entered the game energetic as Kristaps Porzingis had a putback dunk and Carmelo Anthony with the dunk after the baseline drive. The Hawks answered with a steal and then an outlet pass to Kent to lay it up and tie it. Porzingis with six points early. Hawks were down 12-7 against the Knicks. Jeff Teague was playing aggressively and his two possessions brought the Hawks within two with 4:18 left in the first. Dennis Schröder passed it to Kent for a three, yet the Hawks were down seven after an offensive outburst from the Knicks. Tim Hardaway, Jr. saw his first minutes in a game early and Dennis came up with a three-point opportunity for the next possession. Hawks were still trailing the Knicks by seven. Hawks struggled defensively in the first quarter, ending it down nine to the Knicks.

Started the second quarter with Al Horford posting up and overpowering Porzingis for the jumper and a Knicks turnover…and a defensive 3-seconds against the Knicks, Hawks pulled it within six. Kyle knocked down a three, Hawks within five. Another 3-second violation against the Knicks and then a Tim Hardaway, Jr. three and the Hawks were within one with 9:43 to go in 2Q. Knicks went on a 7-0 run. Paul Millsap put some life into the offense after he fought for the offensive board and brought the Hawks within eight, unfortunately, the Knicks were still getting points at the line. The second delay-of-game call for the Knicks put the Hawks within seven with 2:44 left and Jeff hit a three but Calderon answered. Paul had no points in the first quarter but came out and scored six in the second. Mike Scott knocked down a three, Hawks pulled it within three with 19.3 seconds left in the first half. There was a good defensive stop from Lance Thomas on Jeff Teague to block his jumpshot attempt at the buzzer. Hawks 49, Knicks 54 at the half.

Hawks opened the second half with a turnover and Arron Afflalo hit two threes. Hawks were down 11 and continued to play catch-up. When Kent Bazemore knocked down a three and Thabo Sefolosha had the three-point opportunity, the Hawks were within 13 until ‘Melo hit a jumpshot. The three ball started falling for the Hawks with Thabo hitting one and then Paul and the Hawks pulled the deficit to nine with 2:20 left in 3Q.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Hawks were within ten after a Kyle three but Afflalo wouldn’t quit. Hawks with the help defense on Afflalo to force the turnover. They were back within 11 with 8:50 left in the game. Hawks went on a run after the three-point play from Paul Millsap and they cut it to six with 5:08 left in the game. Things got chippy down the stretch as Kent and Porzingis were called for double technicals. Al Horford knocked down a three to bring it within three with less than two minutes left but the Knicks would not let up. The hammer-to-the-nail was Calderon with the backdoor cut on Dennis to drive to the basket. The Hawks would fall to the Knicks, 107-101.