This losing stretch from the Knicks looked a lot more ominous during and after a reeking beatdown Wednesday, a first-round knockout at the hands of the Utah Jazz in a defeat that represented probably the worst performance in Kristaps Porzingis’ short NBA career.
The final score of 106-85 doesn’t tell the real story, which unfolded very close to tipoff when the Knicks trailed by 18 and shot 21 percent in the first quarter. They never recovered. The circumstances only deteriorated – with the deficit ballooning to 32 in the second quarter, then 33 midway through the third before an extended – a very extended — garbage time.
Porzingis was awful. Carmelo Anthony was only less awful. The Knicks (10-13) were bulldozed by Gordon Hayward (24 points) and Derrick Favors (20), losing for the seventh time in their last nine games — though none were nearly as embarrassing as Wednesday’s debacle at Vivint Smart Home Arena. It kicked off a three-game road trip against Western Conference, with stops this week at Sacramento and Portland. At least the blowout provided coach Derek Fisher an opportunity to rest his starters for Thursday’s back-to-back against the Kings.
Anthony continued his shooting struggles, going 3-for-11 in 27 minutes. He vented prior to the game about the lack of respect he commands from referees – and he attempted more free throws (seven) than any other Knick on Wednesday – but also misfired on six of his first seven field goal attempts.
Porzingis was limited to only 13 minutes, looking especially gassed in the high altitudes of Salt Lake City. He had four points and sat all but four minutes of the second half.
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