Mavericks @ Knicks - Pappy Knuckles's Blog

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Pappy Knuckles's Blog

Mavericks @ Knicks

Posted on December 12, 2008 at 03:30 AM.

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KNICKS BLOW 9 POINT 4TH QUARTER LEAD AND LOSE IN OVERTIME

For the 5th straight game, the Knicks had the score decided by two points or less. This time they lost 79-78 in overtime to the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki and Rasheed Wallace each had 20+ and Rafer Alston controlled the floor with a 13 point, 8 assist performance. The Maverick's had a few small runs throughout the game, but when the 4th quarter began the Knicks were leading 53-44.

During the postgame press conference, Dirk Nowitzki showed visible frustration. "We've had a lot of things go against us these past couple of games, but there is no excuse for letting them come back. We should have wrapped it up in the 4th quarter. I don't know what's going on with our team, but I can't take much more of this. We're better than how we're playing."

In the 4th quarter the Knicks stopped hitting shots and the Mavericks went on a 20-11 run which forced the game into overtime. The Knicks battled hard in the OT session, but missed two key free throws which sealed their fate. "We're not getting to the line very much, but when we do we're missing our shots, explained Coach Pappy Knuckles.

Knicks fans wonder if losing will be the norm in 2008.

Ten games into the season the Knicks find themselves at 5-5 and 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Their next game is against the Boston Celtics, who are currently the best team in the NBA. The Celtics have won 8 in a row with a 10-1 record. Jason Terry wasn't very positive about the Knicks chances on the road. "We're losing to teams at home that we should beat. I don't know what the Celtics are going to do to us but it probably won't be pretty."

On a high note, Dirk Nowitzki shared player of the week honors with Lebron James for the second straight week. Dirk has been one of the few consistent bright spots during this early season run. Rasheed Wallace was fined $10,000 by David Stern for "flipping the bird" to reporters following their loss to the Thunder. When asked about he fine he said, "I don't care about that money, I only care about winning. If we don't win any games soon I might slap David Stern's fat ***."

New York
Dirk Nowitzki - 21 pts, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Rasheed Wallace - 20 pts, 5 rebounds
Rafer Alston - 13 pts, 8 assists

Mavericks 19 15 10 20 15 79
Knicks 22 8 23 11 14 78

Mavericks
32/63 FG (50%)
7/24 3PT (29%)
8/10 FT (80%)
21 Assists
5 Turnovers
27 Rebounds
3 Steals
2 Blocks
42 Points in the paint
8 Bench points

Knicks
32/62 FG (58%)
3/11 3PT (27%)
3/6 FT (50%)
31 Assists
6 Turnovers
23 Rebounds
5 Steals
4 Blocks
44 Points in the paint
14 Bench points