NEW YORK, (Reuters) – In a span of five days, the New York Knicks lost home heartbreakers to both the NBA champion Miami Heat and NBA Finals runner-up Oklahoma City Thunder.
Intent on ending a long run of postseason failure, the Knicks could not have been blamed for feeling downcast.
Atlantic Division-leading New York (37-22) have gone 13 years since winning a playoff series and 40 years since claiming their last NBA crown.
The New Yorkers, however, preferred to look on the bright side after their 95-94 loss on Thursday to the Thunder that was decided when New York’s J.R. Smith’s potential game-winning jumper clanked off the rim at the buzzer.
“That was a hell of a game,” said Knicks coach Mike Woodson. “They played their hearts out against one of the best teams in the league. I was very pleased with our play.”
New York played their second successive game without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, out with a sore knee, and Smith stepped up to score 36 points and very nearly pulled off the heroic finish.
Smith, a streak shooter, carried the Knicks by hitting 14-of-29 shots, including 6-of-13 from three-point range. He scored 31 of New York’s 55 points during the second and third quarters during which they outscored the Thunder 55-40.
“Overall, it was a great game,” said point guard Raymond Felton, who scored 16 points. It was a great performance by him (Smith) and a great performance by the team. We had a chance to win the game. Everything was really positive.”
