2016-17 Game Thread: Knicks @ Rockets

Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone!

The Knicks head to Houston tonight to end 2016 with a tough matchup against the Rockets.

This is a very difficult test for the Knicks, made even more difficult with KP, Lee and O’Quinn missing tonight’s game, and I would hate to see them enter the New Year with a losing record, so hey, maybe they’ll shock us!!! The Rockets did play last night (dropping 140 on the Clippers), so maybe they’re tired?

What? A fella can hope, can’t he?

Let’s go, Knicks!

Knicks Morning News (2016.12.31)

  • [NYTimes] Pelicans 104, Knicks 92: Top-Heavy Knicks Are Toppled by New Orleans Pelicans
    (Saturday, December 31, 2016 5:07:55 AM)

    Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points, Kristaps Porzingis 21 and Derrick Rose 20, but no other Knicks player reached double-digits.

  • [NY Newsday] Balanced Pelicans leave Knicks frustrated, upset
    (Saturday, December 31, 2016 12:18:34 AM)

    NEW ORLEANS — The Knicks are a frustrated team right now. They’re trying not to sound any alarms, but they could be getting close.

  • [NY Newsday] Kristaps Porzingis reacts fiercely to pushy opponents
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 10:17:05 PM)

    System.Xml.XmlElement

  • [NY Newsday] Carmelo Anthony appreciates Jeff Hornacek’s support
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 8:35:08 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Jeff Hornacek scored points with Carmelo Anthony and perhaps the rest of the Knicks when he came to his star player’s defense after his ejection from Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta.

  • [NY Newsday] Carmelo Anthony glad that Jeff Hornacek came to his defense
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 3:21:13 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Jeff Hornacek scored points with Carmelo Anthony when he came to his star player’s defense following his ejection from Wednesday’s game in Atlanta.

  • [NYDN] Knicks have no answer for Davis in embarrassing loss to Pelicans
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 8:14:26 PM)

    Two months into the season, the Knicks are the definition of average and trending downward.

  • [NYDN] Kristaps Porzingis full of praise for Pelicans star Anthony Davis
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 1:42:40 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis assembled a trove of inspirations as he prepared for the NBA.

  • [NYPost] Mistake-prone Knicks suffer embarrassing loss to Pelicans
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 5:26:44 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Carmelo Anthony went from ejection in Atlanta to dejection in the Big Easy as his underwhelming shot-making contributed to a sickening 104-92 Knicks loss to the suddenly hot Pelicans at New Orleans Arena. Don’t look now but the Knicks are the definition of mediocre, falling to .500 at 16-16. Afterward, Jeff Hornacek…

  • [NYPost] Why Hornacek may be the anti-Rambis with Carmelo defense
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 2:08:54 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Coming off his Atlanta ejection, Carmelo Anthony said he appreciated coach Jeff Hornacek’s fierce defense of his scrap with Thabo Sefolosha. The Knicks coach said in a rant he saw the Atlanta guard’s hands around Anthony’s neck. Replays couldn’t confirm Hornacek’s allegation, but the thought was nice. “I just know I have…

  • [NYPost] How pre-NBA Kristaps Porzingis saw himself in Anthony Davis
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 10:03:18 AM)

    NEW ORLEANS — As much as Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis boasted in training camp his goal one day is to post a quadruple-double, he said he realizes Pelicans center Anthony Davis is likelier to perform the trick. In fact, Davis, who faced the Knicks on Friday night at New Orleans Arena, came close two…

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks have three score 20, but fall to Pelicans, 104-92
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 10:36:43 PM)

    Anthony Davis had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans won their fourth straight game, 104-92 over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

  • [SNY Knicks] Lee to sit out second consecutive game with wrist injury
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 7:52:39 PM)

    Knicks guard Courtney Lee will sit out Friday night’s game with the Pelicans with a wrist injury, the second straight game he will miss.

  • [SNY Knicks] Tonight’s Game: Knicks at Pelicans
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 6:07:10 PM)

    The Knicks travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans at 8 p.m. on Friday night.

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks assign Plumlee and Baker to Westchester of the D-League
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 9:25:40 AM)

    The Knicks have assigned Marshall Plumlee and Ron Baker to Westchester of the D-League, the team announced Friday.

  • 2016-17 Game Thread: Knicks @ Pelicans

    The Knicks are in New Orleans tonight to face Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.

    The Pelicans are not particularly good, but nor are they especially bad. They’re sort of in that middle ground with teams like the Hawks, Pistons and Bulls.

    So you’d like to see the Knicks beat the Pelicans, but this is surely no gimme. With the Rockets looming tomorrow night, however, it is very important for the Knicks to go into Houston two games over .500 because Houston on the second night of a back-to-back is a scary proposition (thankfully, the Rockets are at least playing the Clippers tonight, so they might be tired, as well, tomorrow).

    Let’s hope for some bounce back performances tonight from KP, Rose and Melo (“bounce back” in Melo’s case merely means “don’t hit anyone in the face tonight”).

    Let’s go, Knicks!

    Knicks Morning News (2016.12.30)

  • [NYDN] Hornacek defends Carmelo Anthony, says Sefolosha had it coming
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 8:11:45 PM)

    Jeff Hornacek was adamant Thursday that his star didn’t deserve the ejection and was merely reacting to the mugging from his opponent.

  • [NYDN] Carmelo: Phil’s breakup with Jeanie Buss puts Lakers rumor to bed
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 12:31:31 PM)

    Carmelo Anthony says he never viewed Phil Jackson’s relationship with Jeanie Buss as the conduit for the Zen Master’s escape to the Lakers.

  • [NYTimes] After an N.B.A. Christmas, the Best Games This Week
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 5:05:30 PM)

    The Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Can the improved Boston Celtics expose Cleveland’s weaknesses on Thursday?

  • [ESPN] Friday’s Knicks News: Leaving New York an easy decision for Langston Galloway
    (Friday, December 30, 2016 5:45:48 AM)

    Friday’s Knicks News: Leaving New York an easy decision for Langston Galloway

  • [ESPN] Carmelo on ejection: Sefolosha flopped a little
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 9:19:26 PM)

    Carmelo on ejection: Sefolosha flopped a little

  • [ESPN] Jazz’s Hill back Thursday after 13-game absence
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 2:50:27 PM)

    Jazz’s Hill back Thursday after 13-game absence

  • [NY Newsday] Kristaps Porzingis’ blocks charity up to $43G for NY hoops program
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:52:48 PM)

    Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis’ campaign to raise money through his blocked shots has generated $43,000 thus far for a New York-area youth basketball organization.

  • [NY Newsday] Carmelo Anthony: That’s it for Phil Jackson to Lakers idea
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:07:00 PM)

    Carmelo Anthony joked that Phil Jackson’s chances of returning to the Lakers took a major hit when he and Jeannie Buss ended their engagement.

  • [NY Newsday] Jeff Hornacek defends Carmelo Anthony after ejection vs. Hawks
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 5:48:00 PM)

    Jeff Hornacek defended Carmelo Anthony for hitting Thabo Sefolosha in the face during a tussle for a rebound Wednesday, and said he sometimes he wants to “wrap” his hands around the referees’ necks to see how they would react.

  • [SNY Knicks] Did OT loss prove Melo’s worth?
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 6:57:56 PM)

  • [SNY Knicks] Porzingis’ play suffered Wednesday night after Melo’s ejection
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 11:30:20 AM)

    Carmelo Anthony was ejected just over three minutes before halftime during the Knicks’ 102-98 overtime loss to the Hawks on Wednesday night.

  • [NYPost] Carmelo gets testy when asked about latest George Karl dig
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 10:42:53 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Carmelo Anthony, who is blamed for almost everything that goes wrong with the Knicks, joked to not pin blame on him for the Phil Jackson-Jeanie Buss engagement breakup. “You want to ask me if I had anything to do with that?,’’ Anthony quipped. Actually, Anthony was queried on whether he thought Jackson…

  • [NYPost] Why leaving Knicks was an easy decision for Langston Galloway
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 6:25:18 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — After getting married to his high-school sweetheart from Baton Rouge, La., on June 25, Langston Galloway got a phone call the next day from Jeff Hornacek. The Knicks new coach said he wanted to re-sign Galloway, thinking he would fit in well with the team’s vision of a high-speed attack. At the…

  • [NYPost] 2016’s biggest sports splashes, from the Sanchize to Linsanity 2
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 12:24:20 PM)

    Even without a championship to celebrate, 2016 was another year to remember for the New York sports world. Emerging stars such as Gary Sanchez, Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Vesey injected new energy into the city, even as longtime veterans such as Henrik Lundqvist, David Wright and Jacoby Ellsbury battled performance and health issues. Linsanity returned to…

  • [NYPost] Jeff Hornacek’s bizarre excuse for Carmelo Anthony ejection
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 12:00:58 PM)

    NEW ORLEANS — Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek fiercely defended Carmelo Anthony on Thursday, saying he believes Anthony’s second-quarter ejection — for throwing a forearm at Thabo Sefolosha’s head — the previous night in Atlanta was the wrong decision. Anthony showed no remorse and also said he believes he was wronged, even suggesting the Swiss shooting…

  • [NYPost] How 2016 set up New York’s next sports golden era
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 9:14:46 AM)

    Quietly, 2016 slipped away without bringing a championship to New York City, which means that for the first time in 48 years, we have endured a five-year window in Fun City without throwing a party for ourselves. The quiet zone of 2011-2016 pales to the last great drought (the ’62 Yankees through the ’68 Jets)….

  • Knicks Morning News (2016.12.29)

  • [NYTimes] Hawks 102, Knicks 98 | Overtime: With Carmelo Anthony Ejected, Knicks Show Defensive Grit but Fall in Overtime
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 5:36:55 AM)

    An elbow in the second quarter cost the Knicks their star. Offensive miscues late in the game cost them a chance to escape with a win.

  • [NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: Celtics and Grizzlies Are Good. In This N.B.A., That’s a Problem.
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 11:13:08 PM)

    Boston and Memphis are on track to make the playoffs, but a few teams, particularly the Warriors and the Cavaliers, have separated themselves from the pack.

  • [NYPost] Knicks’ jack-of-all-trades guard sidelined by wrist injury
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 9:47:26 PM)

    ATLANTA — Things changed. Early in the day, Knicks guard Courtney Lee predicted he would be able to play through a wrist injury. Then he went through shootaround. The first thing to change was Lee’s optimism. “Wasn’t ready. I tried to give it a go at shootaround, had a lot of discomfort,” said Lee who…

  • [NYPost] Knicks miss ejected Carmelo as offense sputters in OT loss
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:43:08 PM)

    ATLANTA — So often in life — and basketball — you beg for a second chance. The Knicks, playing shorthanded much of the night after Carmelo Anthony was ejected on a Flagrant Foul 2, got a reprieve. Then another. And another. And another. Suffice to say there were chances and moments that presented themselves all…

  • [NYPost] Carmelo Anthony tossed for this cheap shot to the head
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 3:47:34 PM)

    ATLANTA — The Knicks already were down one starter, Courtney Lee, who sat with a wrist injury. And then they lost Carmelo Anthony, who was bounced on a flagrant 2 foul for hitting Hawk Thabo Sefolosha while the pair went for a second-quarter rebound on Wednesday. Anthony and Sefolosha originally were called for a double…

  • [NYPost] George Karl even rips Carmelo Anthony when he praises him
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 2:59:58 PM)

    ATLANTA — Despite George Karl’s harsh words in his new book, Carmelo Anthony’s former coach is rooting for the Knicks to make the playoffs. “Here’s what I’ll say now: Melo is a hell of a player, the best offensive player I’ve ever coached. I owe him as much as anyone for my having a great…

  • [NY Newsday] After Carmelo Anthony ejected, Knicks fall to Hawks in OT
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 11:54:22 PM)

    Anthony was ejected in the first half after forearming Thabo Sefolosha in the face. Without him, the Knicks fought, but came up short, falling to the Hawks, 102-98, in overtime Wednesday night in the start of a three-game road trip.

  • [NY Newsday] Courtney Lee misses game, has ailing wrist drained of fluid
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 9:11:21 PM)

    Courtney Lee had fluid drained from his bothersome right wrist Tuesday and was unable to play Wednesday night against the Hawks.

  • [NY Newsday] George Karl says Carmelo Anthony was more concerned with brand than basketball
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 12:34:00 PM)

    ATLANTA — George Karl isn’t done taking shots at Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson, but the former Nuggets coach said he’s rooting for them to do well.

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks fall to Hawks in overtime, 102-98
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:43:45 PM)

    The Knicks fell to the Hawks in overtime on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

  • [SNY Knicks] Anthony ejected in second quarter for hitting Sefolosha
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 9:04:19 PM)

    Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was ejected during Wednesday night’s game against the Hawks for hitting Thabo Sefolosha in the face as the two went for a rebound during the second quarter.

  • [SNY Knicks] Courtney Lee to sit out against Hawks with sore wrist
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 6:13:05 PM)

    Knicks guard Courtney Lee will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Hawks with a sore right wrist, the team announced.

  • [SNY Knicks] Tonight’s Game: Knicks at Hawks
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:53:00 PM)

    The Knicks head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

  • [SNY Knicks] Three challenges facing the Knicks: Defense, Noah, and Thomas
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 10:40:13 AM)

    As the Knicks look to contend, they’ll need to take care of business against the stronger teams of the league. Here are three of the other more pressing issues the team has faced as of late…

  • [SNY Knicks] Jackson, Buss end engagement
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 7:13:17 AM)

    New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Los Angeles Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss have ended their engagement, both citing their professions and distance as part of the reasons why.

  • [ESPN] Thursday’s Knicks News: Melo ejected in OT loss to Hawks
    (Thursday, December 29, 2016 5:40:07 AM)

    Thursday’s Knicks News: Melo ejected in OT loss to Hawks

  • [ESPN] Hawks’ Sefolosha: Melo punched me in the face
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 9:02:42 PM)

    Hawks’ Sefolosha: Melo punched me in the face

  • [ESPN] Lee sits, but MRI shows no broken bones in wrist
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 7:54:32 PM)

    Lee sits, but MRI shows no broken bones in wrist

  • [ESPN] Carmelo Anthony: Knicks need a plan in place on defense
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 11:15:04 AM)

    Carmelo Anthony: Knicks need a plan in place on defense

  • [NYDN] Knicks fall to Hawks in overtime as Rose, Porzingis falter late
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 7:51:01 PM)

    The Knicks hung with the Hawks on defense, but failed to finish them off in regulation and ran out of gas in overtime.

  • [NYDN] Carmelo Anthony ejected for shoving Thabo Sefolosha in face
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 3:57:48 PM)

    That wasn’t very mellow of him.

  • [NYDN] Courtney Lee has fluid drained from hand, Kristaps seeks revenge
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 2:32:06 PM)

    Courtney Lee had fluid drained from his problematic shooting hand and hoped to play Wednesday against the Hawks.

  • [NYDN] George Karl says Carmelo Anthony puts brand over basketball
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 12:26:54 PM)

    George Karl is determined to sell some books and burn every bridge doing it.

  • [NYDN] Trevor Ariza waited for Mavericks player outside locker room
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 8:12:29 AM)

    Salah Mejri took trash talking to a new low.

  • [NYDN] Dwight Howard says he never considered Knicks in free agency
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 8:05:38 AM)

    Phil Jackson could’ve gone in a different direction from signing Joakim Noah to a four-year contract.

  • 2016-17 Game Thread: Knicks @ Hawks

    After the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the rest of the conference is a shocking mass of mediocrity from #3 to #12. However, despite the parity between these teams, two of these teams will get home court advantage in the playoffs. One of these teams will get home court advantage in the playoffs and avoid playing the Cavaliers in the second round. Determining which teams gets those two spots will most likely be decided in games between the ten teams currently ranked #3-12.

    Therefore, tonight’s game featuring the Knicks playing the under .500 and yet still somehow the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference Atlanta Hawks, is huge.

    The Knicks have done very well this season against teams under .500. That’s very important. You can’t afford to lose against teams under .500 and the Knicks are doing a great job of avoiding those pitfalls.

    Let’s hope that they avoid those pitfalls tonight, as well!

    Let’s go, Knicks!

    Knicks Morning News (2016.12.28)

  • [NYTimes] Phil Jackson of Knicks and Jeanie Buss of Lakers Announce Their Breakup
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:50:48 AM)

    Jackson and Buss, who had been engaged for several years but were never married, said via social media that they had ended their engagement.

  • [SNY Knicks] GEICO SportsNite: Melo and Noah on team chemistry
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 11:35:18 PM)

    GEICO SportsNite: Melo and Noah on team chemistry

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks’ defensive effort has held them back this season
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 3:00:56 PM)

    The Knicks’ defensive effort this season has been poor, and that was evident Sunday during their 119-114 loss to the Celtics.

  • [SNY Knicks] Courtney Lee is probable for Wednesday night’s game
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 12:15:50 PM)

    Courtney Lee (sore right wrist) is probable for Wednesday night’s game against the Hawks in Atlanta, the Knicks announced Tuesday.

  • [SNY Knicks] Acquiring Tony Allen could put Knicks over the top in the division
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 10:00:03 AM)

    Tony Allen is the type of player who could put the Knicks over the top in the division and solidify a Top 4 seed in the conference.

  • [ESPN] Wednesday’s Knicks News: Defense will be focus on road trip
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:56:54 AM)

    Wednesday’s Knicks News: Defense will be focus on road trip

  • [ESPN] Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss end engagement
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 11:19:41 PM)

    Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss end engagement

  • [ESPN] Tuesday’s Knicks News: Jennings, Melo not on same page
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:13:37 AM)

    Tuesday’s Knicks News: Jennings, Melo not on same page

  • [NY Newsday] Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss announce engagement is off
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 11:50:35 PM)

    Phil Jackson and Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss are no longer a couple.

  • [NY Newsday] Knicks take to road looking to shore up defense
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 7:31:37 PM)

    It was wheels up for the Knicks after practice Tuesday at the MSG Training Center, flying off for a three-games-in-four-nights trip. In the eyes of Carmelo Anthony, this remade team is headed up in more ways than one.

  • [NYDN] Knicks president Phil Jackson no longer engaged with Jeanie Buss
    (Wednesday, December 28, 2016 12:58:40 AM)

    Phil Jackson’s relationship couldn’t survive a cross-country commute

  • [NYDN] Knicks may have been better with Dwight Howard over Joakim Noah
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:26:56 PM)

    Phil Jackson never made a run at Dwight Howard last summer and that could prove to be a costly mistake.

  • [NYDN] Joakim Noah knows he and Knicks need to pick it up on defense
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 4:38:20 PM)

    Joakim Noah doesn’t quite move like he once did but the former Defensive Player of the Year still knows right from wrong on the court.

  • [NYPost] Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss call off engagement
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:32:26 PM)

    The chances of Phil Jackson leaving the Knicks after the season on his own volition to join the Lakers’ front office have decreased after the Zen Master and Jeanie Buss announced their breakup on Twitter Tuesday night, citing geographical distance as a big reason for the split. Jackson and Buss, the Lakers president, had been…

  • [NYPost] Why Joakim Noah thinks Knicks have an identity problem
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 3:07:55 PM)

    The Knicks have a trio of scorers capable of putting up big numbers in Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Kristaps Porzingis, yet they are a middling 16-14. Their weaponry is being wasted on the defensive end of the court, where they are among the NBA’s worst units. The Knicks are giving up 108 points per…

  • [NYPost] Jeff Hornacek: Why should Knicks pass just for style points?
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 12:20:51 PM)

    To pass or not to pass, that is the question. The big debate about the Knicks’ offense these days is whether there should be more ball movement or the players should continue to get the ball to those who can take their defenders one-on-one. The volume got turned up on the issue after Sunday’s loss…

  • Knicks Morning News (2016.12.27)

  • [ESPN] Tuesday’s Knicks News: Jennings, Melo not on same page
    (Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:13:37 AM)

    Tuesday’s Knicks News: Jennings, Melo not on same page

  • [NYTimes] After an N.B.A. Christmas, the Best Games This Week
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 6:49:25 PM)

    The Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Can the improved Boston Celtics expose Cleveland’s weaknesses on Thursday?

  • [NYPost] New generation of Knicks loving life in New York City
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 5:45:58 PM)

    Derrick Rose prefers Manhattan over the slower pace of Westchester. Because the hustle and bustle of Manhattan is still less stressful than his days living in his hometown Chicago. “I love it,’’ Rose, in his first season with the Knicks, told The Post. “I love my building. My neighborhood. My neighbors. They let me walk…

  • [NYPost] Brandon Jennings breaks ranks with Carmelo over Knicks’ issues
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 3:07:54 PM)

    Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings apparently believes differently than Carmelo Anthony regarding critiques that too much one-on-one play existed in their 119-114 loss to Boston on Christmas. Jennings signaled the rips were merited. After the Knicks mustered only 11 assists Sunday, Jennings liked a tweet from the Bullyup.com Twitter handle criticizing their style: “KNICKS Rely…

  • [NYPost] Courtney Lee struggles with Knicks orders to shoot more
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 6:51:09 AM)

    Get greedy. Courtney Lee, the Knicks’ starting shooting guard, has made the rounds of the NBA, but this season is the first one in which his coach has begged him to take more shots — contested shots, that is. Lee is second in the NBA in 3-point field-goal percentage at 46.7 percent, and Knicks coach…

  • [NY Newsday] Knicks know poor defense is their weakness
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 7:33:06 PM)

    If the Knicks asked for anything for Christmas, it should have been to play better defense. Maybe they should make that their New Year’s resolution.

  • Knicks Morning News (2016.12.26)

  • [ESPN] Monday’s Knicks News: Celtics hang on for close Christmas day win
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 5:37:22 AM)

    Monday’s Knicks News: Celtics hang on for close Christmas day win

  • [ESPN] Knicks in a giving mood on defense in Christmas Day loss to Boston
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 6:42:20 PM)

    Knicks in a giving mood on defense in Christmas Day loss to Boston

  • [ESPN] Carmelo Anthony stuns cancer patient’s family with car for Christmas
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 6:00:33 PM)

    Carmelo Anthony stuns cancer patient’s family with car for Christmas

  • [NYPost] Kristaps Porzingis marks holiday with huge dunks and pratfalls
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 2:18:15 PM)

    It didn’t turn out to be a Merry Kristaps for the Knicks’ 7-foot-3 Latvian phenom, despite some gaudy numbers posted on a still-healing bruised right knee. Kristaps Porzingis had 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 12 rebounds, two steals and four blocks, sprinkled in with a couple of highlight-reel dunks. But his season-high five turnovers, a…

  • [NYPost] Carmelo on Al Horford scrap: ‘A Dominican and Puerto Rican’
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 1:51:07 PM)

    There was a face-to-face showdown. There was a shot to the mouth that drew blood. Things got both chirpy and chippy during the Knicks’ 119-114 Christmas loss to the Celtics at the Garden. After a whistle stopped play in the middle of the third quarter, Carmelo Anthony and Boston center Al Horford got in each…

  • [NYPost] Knicks’ record is hollow until they beat some contenders
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 1:34:49 PM)

    There was blood on Christmas at the Garden. Boston’s Marcus Smart received an elbow to the face on Derrick Rose’s drive to the hole in the first half and came off the court with blood gushing from his mouth. By the end of this holiday matinee, after the Knicks’ spirited rally from nine points down…

  • [NYPost] Knicks fumble away Christmas slugfest in final minute
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 9:44:03 AM)

    Knicks fans nearly got this year’s Christmas miracle at the Garden on Sunday. The Celtics’ Avery Bradley stole it away. The Knicks came all the way back after trailing by 13 in the fourth quarter, but ended up on the raw end of a 119-114 decision before a sellout crowd of 19,812. Carmelo Anthony missed…

  • [NYPost] Carmelo Anthony’s emotional gift to teen fan battling cancer
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 9:09:34 AM)

    Knicks star Carmelo Anthony played the role of St. Nick on Sunday, when he gave a car to 17-year-old fan with cancer just before the game against the Celtics in Madison Square Garden. The 32-year-old forward handed a 2017 Kia Sorento to Jarell Lara, who suffers from a rare form of cancer called Langerhans Cell…

  • [NY Newsday] How Kristaps Porzingis handled his first Christmas Day game with Knicks
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 8:03:10 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis has made it a goal to play in all 82 games for the Knicks this regular season. But he made it clear in the days leading up to Sunday that some games mean more than others.

  • [NY Newsday] Knicks’ late comeback attempt falls short as Celtics win Christmas Day matchup
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 7:47:14 PM)

    The Knicks took the floor at Madison Square Garden on Christmas with their spirit for giving in the right place but their priorities backward.

  • [NYTimes] Facing Another Measuring Stick, Knicks Come Out on the Short End Against the Celtics
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 1:28:31 AM)

    Locked in a duel with surging Boston, the Knicks displayed a lack of cohesiveness as the clock wound down, and the Celtics escaped with a win at the Garden.

  • [NYTimes] Cavaliers 109, Warriors 108: Without Any Title at Stake, Cavaliers Relive Rally Past Warriors
    (Monday, December 26, 2016 1:29:20 AM)

    This time, Cleveland climbed out of a 14-point hole in the fourth quarter. In last season’s N.B.A. finals, it erased a three-games-to-one deficit for its first title.

  • [NYTimes] On College Basketball: UConn Women Say ‘Nah’ to Rebuilding Year
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 11:25:08 PM)

    After losing three superstars last season, the championship Huskies are undefeated again — the latest evidence that Coach Geno Auriemma’s success is based on more than recruiting.

  • [NYDN] Knicks defense falters vs. Celtics as Carmelo passes Elgin Baylor
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 7:13:26 PM)

    Derrick Rose knows the Knicks’ 114 points should have been more than enough to beat the Celtics on Sunday.

  • [NYDN] Knicks fail to complete comeback in Christmas loss to Celtics
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 7:12:23 PM)

    Not even Christmas can soften this rivalry. It only made it better.

  • [NYDN] Carmelo Anthony gives car to teen with cancer before Knicks game
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 7:09:37 AM)

    Carmelo Anthony helped a 17-year-old fan with cancer step into his new car in the basement of Madison Square Garden.

  • [SNY Knicks] Celtics spoil Knicks’ Christmas, win 119-114 at MSG
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 2:32:55 PM)

    Isaiah Thomas led six Celtics in double figures with 27 points as the Celtics held off a furious comeback by the Knicks 119-114 in a Christmas Day matinee at Madison Square Garden

  • [SNY Knicks] Today’s game: Knicks vs. Celtics
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 10:45:00 AM)

    Carmelo Anthony will appear in his fifth Christmas Day game when the New York Knicks host the Boston Celtics on Sunday at noon at Madison Square Garden.

  • [SNY Knicks] Porzingis, Knicks ready for matchup vs. Thomas, Celtics
    (Sunday, December 25, 2016 8:45:00 AM)

    Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks will face Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

  • 2016-17 Game Thread: Knicks vs. Celtics

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

    The Knicks host the Celtics this afternoon in a big game. If they win this one, the Knicks will actually become tied for the #3 seed in the entire Eastern Conference and ahead of the Celtics! How awesome would that be? Let’s hope that they give us all a fun Christmas present today with a win!

    For our last Christmas TV special that we’ve been sharing, let’s go with the Star Wars Christmas Special! It’s fun and absurd at the same time!

    Let’s go, Knicks!