May 5, 2013
Gutty, gritty, tough win for the New York Knicks; a must needed win, because we Knick fans, obviously, didn't want to go to Indiana down 2-0.
This was a great win. Reason why?: J.R Smith still wasn't shooting the ball well -- only had 8 points -- and the Knicks still manage to score 105 points for the win; Carmelo Anthony was very good, but he was hitting in all cylinders, too. And to win a must needed game with those struggles, still, says a lot about this team.
New York shutting down Indiana's offensive in the second half show's so much life to the Knicks and what they can do in a must needed win. Their performance in the second half made me feel confident going into Indiana and winning a game. If this would've been a close win, I would've been a tad worried, but the way they came out, and these problems they have with Anthony-Smith struggling and hold the Pacer offensive to only 13 points in the fourth quarter, shows the Knicks can turn up the defensive intensity at anytime.
Melo: He showed toughness. Those 33-points he got was well earned. Anthony pushed, shoved and grind to get this win for his team.
Anthony could have tough night and still manage to score 25 points or over. Even on Game 1 against the Pacers he scored 27 -- which isn't that bad, considering the foul trouble he got into.
J.R: Hes gonna get going; he's due. I believe in Game 3 at Indiana you're gonna see Smith come out of his slump.
Tyson Chandler: Big reason for the Knicks win. Chandler got big dunks in spots where the Knicks were on the brink of losing the lead; he got them right back in the game.
Chandler's dunks give life. When the Knicks get down and he scores the easy two with a dramatic dunk, he gets the team and the Knick crowd at Madison Square Garden going. He brings energy when that happens.
Iman Shumpert: Amaze, amaze, amaze. I've said it time and time again, he sets a defensive tone throughout this team; he plays defense, the team wants to play defense.
And how about that dunk? What impressed me about Shumpert's dunk, was how he can extended his right arm to reach for the ball -- that was amazing athleticism.
Game 3: I like the Knicks. I think J.R is gonna come out hot, and the Knicks team will be well rested. They needed some rest after that Celtic series. Also, Melo can read his left shoulder.
