Rapid Recap: Knicks Blow Out Hornets in Third, Sail to Victory

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Published: November 20, 2012

The Knicks took control in the third quarter and cruised to a 102-80 victory over the struggling Hornets.

New York Knicks 102 Final

Recap | Box Score

80 New Orleans Hornets

Rookie Report

Austin Rivers, SG 36 MIN | 5-10 FG | 2-7 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 14 PTS | -11Austin set a career high with 14 points, but let’s not be mistaken– he did almost all of his damage in the first quarter. While the four assists and zero turnovers are promising, he continues to look more like a college player than a pro. Overall it was a decent performance, and I’m sure some will point to it as positive, but he has a ways to go before he’ll be able to make a beneficial impact on a good team.
Darius Miller, SF 2 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -8Miller played just two minutes and let Carmelo score on his twice. It wasn’t his finest two minutes…
Brian Roberts, PG 21 MIN | 4-9 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 2 AST | 13 PTS | -3Roberts provided some offensive spark as soon as he entered the game, keeping the Hornets within striking distance by scoring 9 points on his first three shots. He slowed down afterward, but all things considered, and relative to his teammates, it was a quality performance by the rookie guard.

Five Things We Saw

  1. Carmelo Anthony was on fire in the first quarter, outscoring the Hornets 19-17 and making eight of his nine shots. I hate to place blame on anyone specifically since the entire defense was collapsing every time anyone so much as thought about driving inside, but Al-Farouq looked particularly bad. It wasn’t until Lance Thomas came in and gave Carmelo some of the same intensity he delivered in Vegas Olympic Trials that the Knicks star slowed down.Still, Melo scored 29 on the night in only 28 minutes of action and was the clear MVP of the game.
  2. The Hornets started off hot from the floor, but weren’t able to continue burying shots at the same rate in the second half. Midway through the game the Bees were shooting 50% from the field and from outside the arc– percentages well superior to what we normally see. In the third quarter they plummeted back down to earth, while the Knicks for the most part kept pace with their early results.By the time the fourth quarter rolled around the Hornets trailed by 19 and the game was all but lost.
  3. The Hornets struggled to both corral and control rebounds. While the Knicks were knocking balls to their teammates and coming away with additional offensive possession, the Hornets trailed 12-3 in offensive rebounds, and 33-27 on the defensive end with six minutes left in the contest.The Hornets had just one steal at that point as well, and had forced only six Knicks turnovers.Struggle…
  4. Anthony Davis didn’t play, and it sounds like he’ll likely miss the contest against Indiana tomorrow night as well. His ankle continues to give him problems, and the Hornets appear to be playing it safe with the season already spiraling downward.
  5. Monty Williams did not enter the game. ESPN had listed him in their box score as “has not entered game” throughout the contest.

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