How it Happened
In the wake of Wednesday's loss in Boston, Derek Fisher was looking for a more sustained effort from his team. The Knicks had led the Celtics in the second half before fading down the stretch and entered Friday night with an opportunity to put it together for all 48 minutes.
They took their coach's message to heart, outlasting Detroit over two overtimes in a gritty 121-115 road win.
"Everybody stepped up," said Lou Amundson, who matched his season high with 17 points and set a new one with 14 rebounds. "We just willed our way to that win."
Amundson's effort was one of many that helped New York turn an 18-point first-half deficit into its first win without All-Star Carmelo Anthony in 17 tries this season. Andrea Bargnani (25 points and 12 rebounds) carried the biggest scoring load -- one of six Knicks in double figures -- and his teammates refused to quit, making one clutch play after another.
The Knicks dialed up the defensive intensity coming out of halftime, narrowing Detroit's lead to three by holding the Pistons to 16 points in the 3rd quarter. The teams went back and forth to start the 4th, exchanging leads eight times in a hard-fought battle down the stretch -- they'd combine for 14 free throw attempts in the period.
The Pistons began to pull away late, taking a 95-88 lead on a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope jumper with 3:05 left in regulation. But once again, the Knicks responded, holding Detroit scoreless the rest of the quarter. Down three with the ball and 11 seconds to play, Langston Galloway (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) wasted no time before going full court and launching a 25-foot rainbow from the left wing to tie the game with 6.3 seconds on the clock.
On this night, even 48 minutes weren't enough.
New York had a chance to win it in the first overtime, but a Tim Hardaway Jr. 16-footer didn't fall. In the second overtime, Shane Larkin took over.
The second-year point guard nearly outscored the Pistons (10) by himself, pouring in 9 of his 16 points in the final five minutes. After missing the previous three games with an illness, he logged 35 minutes and delivered the crushing blow -- a driving floater, plus the foul, to put the Knicks up 115-111 with 28 seconds left. He converted all five of his free throws to seal the victory.
Knick of the Night
It was a total team effort, but Amundson's presence in the paint was essential to the Knicks outrebounding Detroit, 58-54. Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe combined for 28 boards, and without Amundson battling for 35 minutes, that number could've been even higher.
Game Notes
Jose Calderon (achilles) did not dress. Bargnani made his first start in 13 month, shattering previous season highs in both points (17) and rebounds (6) in 36 minutes. Jason Smith came of the bench after starting the last 18 games. Hardaway left game to recieve four stitches above his left eye after catching an inadvertant elbow from Amundson, but still managed to play 32 minutes and score 18 points...It was the Knicks' first multiple overtime game since February 24, 2014 in Orlando.
Next Up
There's no time to rest, as the Knicks get ready to take on Toronto on Saturday night at The Garden.