After an exciting first victory of the season, the New York Knicks took on the Magic down in Orlando. This trip to Florida wasn’t so magical for the Knicks, as they fell to 95-83.
The Knicks came out in first half looking good. They were in the game and all aspects of their play was solid, except for their 3-point shooting. The Knicks were 7-31, 22.6%, for the entire game. The highlight from beyond the arc was Frank Ntilikina half-court heave at the end of the first half.
And once again, as all Knicks fans know, the 3rd quarter happened. The Knicks came out sluggish, careless and not boxing out. The Magic were able to build a 12-point lead and take over the game. The Knicks went on a run to get back into the game.
Then the head-scratching coaching decisions from David Fizdale continued. It began in the first half where the Knicks were needed offense. Allonzo Trier sat snug on the bench. The guy who proven to give you offense, when needed, didn’t sniff the court. Fizdale decided to go with Daymean Dotson instead, as Trier didn’t play all game.
It makes sense to get Dotson back into the rotation coming off his shoulder injury. But, in a game when you need offense it’s not time to ease someone in. However, it didn’t make sense to start Wayne Ellington over Ntilikina. Ellington has been struggling shooting and the Knicks need more defense in the starting line-up.
The biggest coaching decision came late game when the Knicks and Kevin Knox got back into the game, only being down by a score. Knox had the hot hand after a poor shooting performance to begin the game. Fizdales decides to take Knox out for Marcus Morris, who had an awful outing.
The entire flow and control of the game for the New York Knicks changed once Morris checked in for Knox. Morris was taking contested shots, like always, and ruining the momentum. That swap of players killed the game for the Knicks, ultimately losing. It might be time to start Knox over Morris, as Knox is part of the future not Morris.
This lose was all on Fizdale. He continues to make unnecessary substitutions that ruin the flow of the game for the Knicks. It is only a matter of time until the fans get restless and start to call for a new head coach.