Mavericks 129, Knicks 114: “20% shooting might not get it done”

May today’s foods hit you easier than last night’s L

Quoth HarbingerNo9: “20% shooting might not get it done.” Usually I save the recap quote for much later in the recap, but this game doesn’t get the usual treatment. Because the Knicks’ 129-114 loss last night in Dallas was about as basic as it gets. For some recaps, the game points in a million different directions, and you try to wrangle one that gives it some sense; the possibilities are endless. For others, the game walks into your tattoo parlor and just wants a heart with “Mom” written across it. Basic. The Knicks lost last night — badly — for three basic reasons.

One was shooting, or the lack thereof. By halftime, Knicks who weren’t Villanova grads whose last names start with B had combined to miss 20 of 22 shots. In 29 minutes of first-half action, the bench took one shot. Period. A game after tying a franchise record with 45 assists, New York had just five at intermission, fewer than their turnover total. Meanwhile, Dallas was +10 on twos and +21 on threes by the break behind a balanced attack featuring Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie. The game was so over so early, even the Knicks shooting nearly 80% for the whole second half never threatened the Mavs.

New York lost because Dallas is evidently one of those NBA teams that watches film, so like Boston and Houston and every other team that does they too realized these Knicks never met a switch they didn’t botch. Personnel obviously impacts policy, but it’s amazing how some teams don’t switch against New York and give up 150, while others that do don’t. A head coach with less support and security than Tom Thibodeau might have raised their eyebrows at some of the postgame quotes.

“We’re giving teams the game plan [to stop us],” said Josh Hart, referring to opponents switching defensively. Added KAT: “I guarantee you Jason Kidd is a helluva coach. He looked at the game [against Denver] and found ways he could play against us. He did a great job. They were ready.” Thibs isn’t suddenly on the hot seat. But one wonders if the next bridge this franchise has to cross is his stubbornness — whether in continuing to play starters in games they’re up 30 with three minutes left, or continuing to go into games against defenses that switch with nothing more than a plucky, hope-for-the-best attitude.

Lastly, the Knicks lost because Kyrie Irving. That’s it. You’ve probably heard about the streak, at this point, how Irving hasn’t lost to them since he was a Celtic six years ago. What’s that? You hadn’t?

Even without a certain Slovenian superstar or Klay Thompson available, the Mavs are a good, solid team. Irving is a flashback to one of the original promises/premises of superteams, that having multiple stars raises your floor whenever one is out. He and Dinwiddie were the difference-makers, building up the big lead.

This game doesn’t deserve any more of my time or yours. It was simple: the Knicks couldn’t shoot, the other team could; the Knicks didn’t adjust, the other team did. Next game is tomorrow in Charlotte, who are 26th and 17th in offensive and defensive ratings and who don’t employ Kyrie Irving. Be thankful for what you have today, and thankful the Knicks are still odds-on to wrap up a winning road trip.