Knicks Dial Long Distance, Destroy Grizzlies 132-103

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Wednesday night’s game between the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies showcased two teams who are clearly in rebuild mode – with Memphis probably ahead in that department. And yet the Knicks would come into FedEx Forum armed with their long-distance calling cards as they would attempt 34 three-point shots and make – are you sitting down? – 19 of them. That and shooting 59% from the floor overall enabled New York to embarrass Memphis 132-103.

New York would build their lead into double-digits in the second quarter, shooting 8-of-16 from beyond the arc; the Grizzlies, during that span, would commit 9 turnovers leading to 15 first-half points for the Knicks. Memphis center Marc Gasol would score some, but the Knicks’ Nate Robinson would score 10 points – including a pair of treys – which would eliminate what advantage Memphis had and built the Knicks lead to 14 in the second period. The Knicks would go into halftime with an 11-point cushion.

New York would break open the game in the third quarter, extending their lead to 22, with Memphis allowing uncontested shots of every variety; more of the same took place in the final period as the Knicks had their sizable lead up to as many as 32. The Knicks’ leading scorer was Wilson Chandler with a career-high 27 points (including 4 three-pointers) with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and the team’s only blocked shot while Jamal Crawford added 25 with 2 rebounds, 8 assists, and a steal; Robinson chipped in, scoring 21 (including a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point territory) with 3 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Zach Randolph added 18 with 10 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals.

Memphis was led by Rudy Gay with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while O.J. Mayo added 17 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal; Gasol pitched in with 16, along with 4 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot. New York (5-3) does not play again until Friday when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder while Memphis (3-6) continues their homestand as they host the Milwaukee Bucks – also on Friday night.

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