Nets 103, Knicks 101: Scenes from a wacky starting lineup decision

The New York Knicks had back-to-back games at home this weekend against vulnerable opponents and couldn’t close the deal either time. At least Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets was a bit closer than Saturday’s laugher against the Spurs. The ‘Bockers played like crap for the most part, but the shorthanded Nets, missing Caris LeVert and Kyrie Irving, were no great shakes either.

The Knicks were able to crawl to within one possession late, thanks to threes from Marcus Morris and a resurrected Wayne Ellington.

Sadly, Frank Ntilikina missed an open 3 that would have tied the game, and Morris whiffed on yet another David Fizdale iso draw-up out of a a timeout. Nets win, 103-101.

Fizdale courted controversy early when he started Kevin Knox at shooting guard in place of a sick RJ Barrett. The experiment failed, as it was destined to do. Brooklyn jumped out to a quick lead before New York’s bench rallied. Knox started the second half, picked up his fourth foul, and never returned. Fascinating coaching decision.

Recap to come.