07-23-2019, 10:29 PM
|
#17
|
炭治郎
OVR: 0
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 1,609
|
What If...? | NYK 1999-2000: We Still Believe | G8 vs. MIL
- Jeff Van Gundy came to the realization that it was time to loosen the reins on Latrell Sprewell.
Sprewell carried New York on his shoulders with a season-best 35 points as the Knicks took advantage of a 14-3 spark in the second quarter to stun the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden, 100-92. Sprewell needed 29 attempts to do so, another season-high, but was perfect from the free throw line and also handed four assists. With this victory, the Knicks reached the .500 mark once again. "We've had our differences in the past, but that's water under the bridge now," Van Gundy said. "I've watched his play this season, but I also watched his conduct and I know, and he knows, what he can do for this team." Van Gundy gave Sprewell the green light when he saw Allan Houston and Patrick Ewing struggling from the field; shooting guard and center posted 14 and 12 points, respectively, combining for just 10-of-30 from the floor. "We had some breakdowns here and there," said Houston, "but we went inside and came out on top. We must build on this victory." New York won the battle in the paint, 46-34.
"We just didn't knock down our long range shots. Their defense was on point tonight," said Sam Cassell, who led Milwaukee with 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists. The visitors were more accurate from the floor (54 percent), but their turnovers (a season-high 19) annihilated any chance of them coming back from a 14-point deficit. Four Bucks scored 16 or more points, including big man Rony Seikaly with 16, who signed with the team last week -- he was a member of last season's New Jersey Nets. "I want to thank coach (George) Karl for the opportunity," Seikaly said. Glenn Robinson added 18, with Ray Allen notching in 17 eight boards and six assists, having trouble to get past Houston's long arms -- 5-of-13 shooting. "It's strange," said Allen. "Our offense was better, we went more to the free throw line. Just a couple more treys and this would have been a different ballgame." Winners of their first four games, the Bucks have now lost two straight, and must play four of their next six away from Bradley Center.
Just one game after a 8-point, 11-assist game at Indiana, Charlie Ward raised the bar with nine and 15. "Charlie just had a pretty solid game all around,'' Van Gundy added. "We had more aggression in the second period and we were able to maintain our lead throughout the contest." For the fifth time in eight games, Larry Johnson failed to score in double digits -- he had just three field goal attempts tonight. In turn, Marcus Camby did so for the second straight game. "Marcus has been able to give the team a spark as a reserve. I've been off lately, so hopefully he can continue to do that," Johnson said. David Wingate and Kurt Thomas came off the bench to score eight points apiece, shooting a combined 8-of-10 from the floor. "We really needed this one," added Ewing, who grabbed five of his eight rebounds on offense and kept Ervin Johnson scoreless. "They have a pretty good midrange game, but we put some turnovers on them. Then, we just crushed them inside." On Tuesday, the Knicks host the Portland Trail Blazers (2-4), losers of four in a row.
|
|
|