MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Last month the Knicks couldn’t compete with the younger and speedy Grizzlies on the Garden.
But they’ve turn out to be a brand new crew in March, and the Knicks seemed on the verge of upsetting the Grizzlies in constructing a 15-point lead late within the third quarter.
But the Grizzlies proved too good and Ja Morant too nice. In the land of Elvis Presley, the Knicks suffered a “Heartbreak Hotel’’ sort of loss and their three-game profitable streak was snapped brutally.
Instead of ending their six-game journey away from New York in spectacular vogue with Julius Randle once more the engine, the Knicks collapsed and Morant sped the Grizzlies to a comeback 118-114 win at Fed Ex Forum on Friday night time.
“Bittersweet,’’ Randle stated of ending the journey 3-3. “Kind of the story of the season. There’s been a few video games we sort of misplaced it on the finish.’’
Morant completed with 37 factors and eight assists. In the sport’s key play, RJ Barrett was blocked by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Morant sped downcourt for a layup and 109-106 lead with 2:00 left. Barrett completed with 23 factors however shot a dismal 9 of 25 — together with 1-for-6 from 3-point vary.
Randle scored 36 factors however simply six within the fourth quarter, 4 of them coming after Memphis had a cushty lead. He was 3 of 6 from past the arc, however largely he was ferociously scoring inside and on the quick break.
“I really feel good, however for me I decide a whole lot of issues in how one can get higher as a person, how can I assist this crew win extra video games,’’ stated Randle, who has been on a scoring rampage the previous month. “I nonetheless really feel I’ve to discover a solution to shut out video games higher individually and assist us extra as a crew down the stretch.’’
The loss dropped the Knicks 4½ video games behind the play-in match with 15 video games to play. The Knicks (28-39) face the Nets in Brooklyn in a Sunday matinee.
The Knicks had been 12 minutes away from their first four-game profitable streak of the season earlier than the Grizzlies exploded on a 34-12 run throughout the remaining interval.
The Knicks had been up 15 late within the third earlier than turnovers led to a late Grizzlies 6-0 run within the remaining minute. Coach Tom Thibodeau blamed the loss on main by simply 9 factors getting into the fourth.
“We didn’t shut out the third,’’ Thibodeau stated. “That was a giant downside. We gave them life. They’re probably the greatest groups within the league. They’re not going to offer it you. You acquired earn it, and so they got here at us all recreation.’’
“We all the time discuss executing on the finish of quarters,’’ Randle added. “That little run was powerful. It may’ve been a little bit distinction on why we gained or misplaced. Up 15, they reduce it to 9. We misplaced by 4. It was a giant swing.’’
Morant, a longshot MVP candidate, was a whirling dervish and completed 14 of 33, attacking all night time because the Knicks had been unable to maintain him out of the paint, the place he additionally threw up lethal alley-oop lobs.
“He took 33 pictures, so he’s going to make some,’’ Thibodeau stated.
Morant placed on all the flowery dribble strikes within the fourth quarter and went behind the again for a driving layup that gave the Grizzles their first lead because the early within the recreation at 102-101 with 6:00 left.
Immanuel Quickley answered with a 3-pointer to place the Knicks again in entrance by two, however the Grizzlies then ran away with the night time, proving too deep as six gamers hit double figures.
“He shot 14 for 33,’’ Randle stated. “Which is in the event you’re going to offer him 37 you wish to give it to him like that. But he’s a terrific participant. He made massive gamers down the stretch. Credit to him to have the psychological toughness down the stretch to nonetheless proceed to assault and make performs.’’
Randle was each a beast inside and a reindeer within the interval with 12 factors as he ran the ground with aplomb. The Knicks hit him with lengthy passes for straightforward buckets — a fast-paced objective they’ve talked about a lot of the season.
The 31-18 fourth quarter additionally ruined a giant night time for start line guard Alec Burks, who’s beginning to discover himself as he scored 18 factors. Mitchell Robinson stuffed up the boxscore (10 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, three steals).
“They share the ball,’’ Barrett stated. “They’re joyful for one another’s success. They’re like a well-oiled machine.’’
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