Live From The Garden: Knicks -v- Thunder

Pretty empty walking into the Garden tonight. The New York fans can't be fooled, or teased that easily. We'll need some wins against some good teams, before getting our hopes up. So far, it's just been B-List teams we've beaten, and decent teams we've lost to. Sixers had some serious troubles, the Spurs were without TP and Manu, and Milwaukee just isn't that great of a team. So don't blame us for being pessimistic, we're just not convinced yet.

It was interesting and new to see the word "Thunder" on the scoreboard, as opposed boring and old PJ Carlesimo on the sidlines for Oklahoma City. The game started off frantic, the Knicks running up the court, and just draining shots. With 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the Knicks were already at 25 points. Zach Randolph got two quick fouls, both stupid fouls he shoud have avoided (illegal screens). That didn't stop the Knicks from finishing the first quarter with 37 points (wow), to the Thunder's 20.

The second quarter was more of the same, and the Knicks finished the first half leading by 24 points, 68-44. Nate Robinson was a huge lift off the bench, which seams to be the standard in New York, and had 13 points, 3 boards and 2 assists.

The last time I saw the Knicks with a big lead at the half, they stopped playing part of the third and fourth, and barely won in the end (Opening day against the Heat). That kind of momentum led to butt whoopings by the Sixers and Bucks. Unfortunately, much of the same happened tonight. The Knicks didn't keep the pressure on, got complacent, and let the Thunder back into the game, allowing 33 (!) points in the third quarter, and 29 in the fourth. The #4 pick in the 2008 draft, Rookie Russell Westbrook, was super impressive tonight, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, on 50% FG and 6-7 Free Throw. He's got some good size, court vision, and can finish at the basket, so that should translate into a solid NBA point guard. The Thunder got the lead down to 7, but Jamal Crawford went one-on-one a few times in the row, sealing the deal.
Knicks 116, Thunder 106