Knicks Grab Fourth Straight Win As Celtics Hit Their Eighth Loss

After grabbing headlines for unsportsmanlike conduct, New York Knicks (14-22) J.R. Smith returned from a one-game suspension and served as a difference maker in Saturday’s 102-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers (12-25). He scored 11 points in the second quarter, helping his team win its fourth straight game.

J.R. Smith

Smith said of his play via CBSSports.com, “I just wanted to be aggressive, attack, get back to my old self, play with a chip on my shoulder and it worked. It was very important for me as well as the team to get out there and be successful with scoring the ball and getting my teammates open shots.”

He also wanted to put behind his $50,000 league fine and the ire of his coach Mike Woodsoon for this shoe-tying exploits. It was hard to remember from this type of behavior that Smith is the league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Rumors swirled this week that the Knicks were trying to trade the player. This can’t happen until Jan. 15 as the team is over the salary cap from signing Smith for 120 percent-plus of his previous salary, reported ESPN. It could prove to be a difficult trade with Smith having two seasons remaining after this current one from a three-year, $18 million deal.

For the night,  Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points (eight for 10) and Carmelo Anthony added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Knicks.

As for the 76ers, in addition to being outscored 32-12 in the second quarter, they were behind at halftime 52-40. The Knicks returned after the break, scoring four points right away and taking their greatest lead of the game. For the remainder, the Sixers were behind and only tightened it up to an eight-point game at one point.

Spencer Hawes and James Anderson scored 17 points each with Thaddeus Young adding 15 points for they 76ers, who have now lost four straight games.

The Knicks continue heading in the opposite direction after starting the season out 13 of 16. It seemed to be a matter of time before Woodson would be fired and Anthony had no probably publicly complaining about his team. But now the team’s defense has shown up as it has allowed only 87.3 points per game, limiting opponents to 29.3 percent 3-point shooting in this current win streak. They entered Saturday’s game with a 102-92 home win over the Miami Heat (27-10) on Thursday.

Next up for the Knicks is Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns (21-15). They sit at 75/1 to win this year’s NBA Championship.

In other Saturday games, the Boston Celtics (13-25) lost to the Portland Trail Blazers (28-9), 112-104. This represented the team’s eighth straight loss–its third consecutive one by a single digit differential.

Brad Stevens

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of his team’s recent play via the Associated Press, “You’ve got a shot to win against three contenders for the west but, at the same time, those droughts are killing us. I think we can get better in those. But I’m trying to figure what it is because we’re really playing at such a high level the whole rest of the time. That’s the encouraging part.”

Avery Bradley led the Celtics in scoring with 25 points while Jared Sullinger added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the night but his team shot 62 percent in the first half, then fell to 34 percent in the second half.

As for the Trail Blazers, again they came alive after halftime, taking their first lead in the third quarter thanks to 13 straight points that gave them a 77-68 advantage. This continued in the final quarter with a 13-point advantage as well as holding off the Celtics for a late run.

LaMarcus Aldridge led in scoring with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

The Celtics will look to end its losing streak against the Houston Rockets (24-14) on Monday and sit at 150/1 to win this year’s league championship.