Knicks Collapse with HUGE Fourth Quarter Lead, Losing in Overtime

And a sick Anthony was a last-minute scratch for the Knicks, a decision that put Lance Thomas into the starting lineup as the Knicks faced the Houston Rockets. The Rockets improved to just 1-8 when Harden scores fewer than 28 points, a fact that hasn’t been lost on coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Center Dwight Howard is scheduled to play a second game in as many nights for the first time this season, but is expected to play reduced minutes. The Rockets were able to ratchet up their defensive pressure in the second half, chipping away at the Knicks as the lead they got in overtime was the first one they had since the first quarter.

Once the game reached overtime, some of those small things came into play for the Rockets, who shot 58 percent (15-for-26) over the final 13:05. Porzingis has not had many “Welcome to the NBA” moments and when the whole league is telling you how great you are it is only natural to get a little full of yourself. NY coach Derek Fisher coached in his 100th career game since taking the job one week after Oklahoma City was eliminated in the 2014 Western Conference finals and of the franchise’s 27 coaches, he is the 15th to coach at least 100 games. I thought everybody stepped up and did the best that they could. “We had some untimely turnovers that led to their transition opportunities”. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and 13 rebounds. “They really started to attack us in transition and we couldn’t stop that in the fourth quarter”.

NY led 54-41 at halftime, holding Houston to 34.1% shooting from the field.

Philadelphia led by five points with less than eight minutes remaining but the 76ers were overpowered late as they fell to an 18th consecutive defeat to start to the season.

Then Thornton continued to light it up with a pull-up jumper and another three-pointer that gave Houston a 108-103 lead with 3:36 remaining in overtime. The Rockets have won eight of the past nine meetings.2.

Knicks: The Knicks’ four-game losing streak is their longest this season. As much credit as should be given to the Rockets for their play down the stretch, there should be just as much blame placed on the Knicks for their own.