New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks
Game 37: January 4, 2017
Bucks 105, Knicks 104

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn
flagrant2blog.blogspot.com

This one hurt me right in my heart. Also, my soul hurts a little bit too.

The Knicks took on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at MSG tonight, and took a real punch to the gut, courtesy of the Greek Freak. Giannis hit a fadeaway jumper as time expired to end this one, 105-104. There are so many things I could say about this game that could be the reason why the Knicks lost their sixth (crying face) in a row, but that turnaround from Giannis really just hit like a dagger to the heart. Carmelo Anthony was superb tonight for the Knicks and led the way with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Mindaugus Kuzminskas scored a season high 15 points off the bench, and Derrick Rose also scored 15 points, but committed a costly turnover which led to the game winning bucket. Antetokounmpo left MSG with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and the tears of all the fans watching this game. Kristaps Porzingis sat out his third straight game with the Achilles injury.

Takeaways from this game

No killer instinct at all:

If you read the last recap against the Magic, (which you should, it’s good, but I’m admittedly biased) I said that the Knicks cannot lose these type of games at home. Granted, the Bucks are worlds better than Orlando, but when your team goes into the fourth quarter leading by 14, there is no excuse. You HAVE to keep your foot on the gas and put the game away. We’ve seen countless times how the Knicks get a big lead and then let the other team back into the game and the case was the same tonight. I hate that I’m repeating myself, but this just can’t happen. Carmelo stated after the game that he felt they let this one get away, and that is exactly what happened. This game was there’s for the taking, but the Knicks let it slip away. I don’t know who is to blame for this, whether it is the players or the coach, but they have to fix it.

I’m just way too sad to keep writing. This post probably took the longest because I kept getting angry all over again about all the missed opportunities, mistakes, and overall lack of focus from the Knicks tonight. If the Knicks miss the playoffs, we will all be looking at this past few weeks as the reason for it. Hot Take: The Knicks as currently constructed will not be the team at the end of the season, but I don’t think it’s as hot of a take as I think it is.

Kristaps will be back soon, and his presence alone will help get this team back on track. Knicks will take on the Bucks again on Thursday in their home and will try to get revenge on this talented Bucks squad. More importantly, the Knicks need to get back to their winnings ways, and it needs to happen fast. Preferably, Thursday would be a pretty time for that. Stay positive, my friends, the Knicks will snap out of this… I think. 16-19.