Undermanned Knicks run-and-gun Washington

November 22, 10:41 PMWashington Wizards ExaminerGeorge Panagakos

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Q-Rich and D'Antoni.  Phoenix was the warning.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Washington Wizards dropped to 1-10 on the season tonight after allowing four of the New York Knicks' active seven to score 20+ points in a 122-117 road loss.  The Wizards are now 0-6 on the road, and 0-9 in the Eastern division.

In the first quarter, Knicks' guard and Coach D'Antoni's Phoenix protégé, Quentin Richardson, nailed six threes, which put the Knicks up early over the Wizards.  Washington battled back with defensive efforts from their bench in the second quarter, led by Dominic McGuire's 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks, and by halftime, the score was 58-60, New York.

In the second half of play, Antawn Jamison built upon 17 first half points and Caron Butler began to heat up. 

The Knicks, seemingly tired in the waning minutes of the second quarter, felt rejuvenated from the leadership and hustle of Knicks guard, Nate Robinson. Washington found themselves in another hole in the middle of the third, and cut down the lead on Caron Butler and Nick Young offense.

In the fourth quarter, Nick Young continued to shoot well, and led Washington on the way to a comeback, but defensively, the Wizards were not sharp enough tonight.  Coach Jordan relied on Darius Songaila for a big 25 minutes tonight, and didn't sub him out until there were 45.2 seconds left in the fourth (and there was little JaVale could do by then).

With 3:58 left in the game, Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni was called for a technical foul, and Butler made it a two point, 110-112 game.  Robinson answered for the Knicks, and Washington could not find a way to stop the Knicks on the defensive end thereafter.  With the score 117-120, the Wizards fouled a roaming Duhon from an in-bounds pass, and with about 2.9 seconds left, Duhon sunk two free throws to end the game.

Washington had plenty of chances tonight but could not buckle down against the three point shooters of New York.  The Knicks ended up with 16 threes on the night on 16-for-36 shooting.

JaVale McGee and Dee Brown started for the third game in a row tonight, but McGee picked up two fouls in the first four minutes of play and would only be seen for about eight minutes on the court.  Brown played fairly well in transition, and played a solid 22 minutes, but his jump shot wasn't there.  Jamison finished with a season-high 29 points to go with 13 rebounds on his way to another double-double on the year, and Butler finished with 23 points and 3 steals in the loss.

Washington will get a short break and will challenge Golden State on Tuesday.