In what the franchise says is not a harbinger, the Knicks started the second half of the season in Milwaukee disastrously on Thursday.
After all the hope accumulated in the first half of the season, the Knicks seemed unrecognizable, as they were left behind by 35 points in the fourth period at the Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks, defeated by the Knicks in a dispute earlier in the season, won a sweet revenge with 134-101 beating MVP triple-double Giannis Antetokounmpo (24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists in 29 minutes). The 134 points were the most allowed by the Knicks this season.
“Obviously disappointed with the result,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “We were all unwell. I don’t think anyone played very well. ”
Just as Julius Randle goes, so do the Knicks. And he did not do well. Randle later admitted that he has a history of slow starts after the All-Star break.
Randle, who watched live as “the Greek Freak” did 16 of 16 in Sunday’s All-Star Game, performed poorly after the break. Dominated by the defense of the Bucks, Randle finished with seven points, hit 3 out of 12 and made five spins. He posted six assists, but the league leader in minutes looked lethargic.
“I was fine,” said Randle of his physical condition. “They collapsed. I tried to spread the ball and take readings. I missed some shots, layups, things I do forever, but I’m not too worried, man. As I recall, the last two years, the first game after the break, I don’t know why, I’m always dizzy. I will come back for this. ”
Thibodeau felt that Randle did not do the right readings – something he did all season on an All-Star level.
“I think you’re reading the game,” ‘said Thiboeau. “The game will tell you which shots to make. You cannot predetermine what you are going to do. You have to understand when you are the first option and someone commits and sends a second defender, as the main scorer you have a responsibility to make the right move. ”
At the end of the third quarter, Antetokounmpo dodged Randle’s dribble in the attacking court and ran for a dunk and a 20-point lead. It was that kind of 2019-20 kickback night for Randle, who looked like he needed another week off.
Randle didn’t think the confrontation with Antetokounmpo was a burden, but not having point guard Derrick Rose (problems with the COVID-19) for a third consecutive game may have taken its toll.
“I just didn’t play well in the attack and they hit the shots,” said Randle. “I will not make excuses for that. It is what it is. I’m not really trying to balance that out. “
The Knicks dropped to 0.500 in 19-19. They entered the range with a winning record after an 8-3 wave, but seven of those wins were against clubs well below 0.500.
The Knicks start the second half of the season with four street games – continuing on Saturday in Oklahoma City, which won the Knicks at the Garden in January. The Knicks then play against the two best teams in the East, visiting Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
Your defense should be much more alert. The Knicks thwarted Antetokounmpo early on, building a barrier in the painting and keeping him with just two points in the first quarter. But the Bucks came out of the Knicks’ quick break to open things up.
“Whenever you commit to a specific area, you will be vulnerable in other areas,” said Thibodeau. “But we must not give up everything and that is what we ended up doing. Therefore, we do not take care of the transition. We don’t take care of the painting. We didn’t take care to cover the line, so we didn’t finish our defense with a good hit. They practically got everything they wanted. ”
The Bucks advanced 68-51 at halftime, while boosting their energy in the middle of the second half while the Knicks were sloppy.
The collapse started with two bad moves by newcomer Obi Toppin. Knicks’ 2020 lottery choice allowed Antetokounmpo to win more than he did inside. Then, on the other side, Toppin gave a direct short pass to Milwaukee’s Donte DiVincenzo, who ran for a quick attack dunk and gained momentum.
Randle, 1 of 8 in the first half for three points, then lost control over a runner, leading to another counterattack for DiVincenzo.
This was the first of 35 games in 67 days, with the Knicks trying to double their success in the first half of the season. Of these games, 23 are against clubs with winning records. The Bucks (23-14) were only the first.
“We have to get back to the subject,” said Randle. “OKC close. We are not going to worry about this one. ”