Knicks’ nine-game win streak ends with frustrating 117-107 loss to Thunder

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The Knicks were unable to extend their winning streak to double digits on Friday night, as they fell to the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-107, at Paycom Center.

Here are the takeaways…

— This was no ordinary measuring stick game. With the Thunder sitting atop the Western Conference standings and the Knicks ranked third in the Eastern Conference, Friday marked just the fourth-ever NBA matchup of teams riding win streaks of nine-plus games. Oklahoma City also entered the contest with six consecutive wins at home — New York had won eight straight on the road.

— Both teams were equally efficient on offense in the first quarter, as the Knicks made 14 of 23 shots from the field while the Thunder made 13 of 23. It also didn’t take long for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to announce his presence and showcase his superstar skillset. He scored 14 points in the first 12 minutes. There was plenty of physicality on defense, and New York trailed after one, 33-30.

— The Knicks started the second quarter cold, without a field goal until OG Anunoby drilled a left-corner three with 8:11 remaining. Midway through the quarter, tough Thunder defense sparked the ire of Josh Hart, whose complaints to officials prompted a technical foul. But the physicality didn’t disrupt the Knicks’ rhythm and will, as they climbed to a commanding 14-point lead with under a minute left.

— One could argue the Knicks’ second quarter was their best of the season. With clever ball movement and the mindset to attack the rim, they outscored the Thunder by 15 and entered halftime with a 66-54 advantage. New York shot a crisp 59 percent (27 of 46) with wingers Anunoby and Mikal Bridges combining for 34 points, and more importantly, they held Gilgeous-Alexander to two points in the period.

— The Thunder returned to the court recharged, opening the third quarter with a quick 8-0 run that made Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau call a timeout. The break helped them regroup, however, and their lead returned to double-digits beyond the midway point of the period. There was reason to expect entertainment, as the Knicks and Thunder entered the game ranked first and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-nine-game-win-streak-034318055.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2025-01-04 03:43:00

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