Knicks finally win, end franchise-worst losing streak at 16
The worst losing streak in New York Knicks history has finally ended. With a 99-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, the Knicks snapped a 16-game string of losses to notch their sixth win of the season. The team hadn’t won since December 12, when they topped the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
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The Knicks won Monday behind strong performances from star Carmelo Anthony (24 points on 7-of-15 shooting) and undrafted rookie Langston Galloway (21 points on 8-of-14 shooting), who also had a fantastic fourth-quarter follow dunk for the game’s top highlight:
Yet the biggest reason for the Knicks win could have been who didn’t play for the Pelicans. Superstar forward Anthony Davis (sprained toe) and point guard Jrue Holiday (sore ankle) sat out for their third- and fourth-straight games, respectively. New Orleans also received a very poor game from stretch four Ryan Anderson (4-of-17 FG and 3-of-13 3FG) as the team shot just 41.7 percent from the field (although they did grab 20 offensive rebounds). At the other end, New York shot 48.7 percent from the field and 10-of-23 from deep with just four turnovers. It was one of the most efficient performances by the team this season.
The bad news for Knicks fans is that the team is still an NBA-worst 6-36 — another square-root record! However, things could get better soon. A Wednesday visit to the similarly horrendous Philadelphia 76ers could serve as a second-consecutive win, while upcoming games against the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings could provide more chances for victories. If, you know, that’s even what a team with no chance at a playoff berth should be striving for when a top draft pick could lead to a much brighter future.
Nevertheless, the Knicks have escaped a run of historic futility and have reason to smile. Long-term plans can occasionally pause for short-term satisfaction. Otherwise everyone around the team would have little reason to hope.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
