To finally break out of their losing slump, the New Yor Knicks simply needed to start knocking down some shots. Playing one of the worst teams in the NBA certainly didn’t hurt either.
New York improved to 8-13 with a wire-to-wire 113-86 victory over the lowly Pistons Tuesday night. The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and a four-game home losing streak, and finally broke out of their shooting malaise by connecting on 60 percent of their attempts on the night. Carmelo Anthony, who was a game-time decision, returned from missing the past two games due to injury and was efficient in helping run the Knicks’ offense in a way many thought he would all year. Anthony finished with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting and also dished out a team-high six assists.
The best Knick in the first half however was Landry Fields. As we mentioned in our SBNation New York Power Rankings this morning, Fields’ play as of late has turned a corner, and he’s starting to resemble the pre-trade Fields from last season that made him one of the league’s top rookies. Fields connected on all four of his three point attempts in the first half, and all six of his shots overall. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five steals.
Ball movement and shot-making are two of the main aspects of the Knicks’ offense that have sorely been lacking this season. On Tuesday, New York finally hit from the perimeter on a consistent basis and was efficient with and protective of the ball, only turning it over 15 times. The Pistons (4-19) were able participants, playing poor defense and struggling to score as they have all year. Now the Knicks will have to see if they can keep up the good habits against good teams, and they’ll be tested right away on Thursday when the Chicago Bulls come to the Garden.