New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons: Grading the Knicks win in London
By Matt Shetler
For the New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, the O2 Arena in London has sort of become a home away from home as both Knicks superstars know nothing but success playing across the pond.
Jan 17, 2013; London, United Kingdom; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives around Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince (22) during the first quarter at the O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Cunningham-USA TODAY Sports
Both Anthony and Chandler won a gold medal playing for Team USA during the summer and both had great success on Wednesday as the Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 102-87.
Iman Shumpert returned for the Knicks and was in the starting lineup as New York came out on fire at both ends of the floor. The Knicks led by 20 at one point, a lead that the Pistons cut to only five in the third quarter, but the Knicks closed strong and won their second straight game in convincing fashion.
With that being said, let’s take a look at how each Knicks player graded out in London.
Game Stats
Field Goal Percentage: 45.8% (33-of-72)
Opponent’s Field Goal Percentage: 44.3 %( 35-of-79)
Three Point Percentage: 35.5% (11-of-31)
Opponent’s Three Point Percentage: 35.3% (6-of-17)
Free Throw Percentage: 80.6% (25-of-31)
Opponent’s Free Throw Percentage: 50.0% (11-of-22)
Assists: 22-17 (Pistons +5)
Rebounds: 44-36 (Knicks +8)
Points in the paint: 44-22 (Pistons +22)
Individual Grades
Jason Kidd (5 points, 2-of-5 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers)
Kidd started slow and filled the stat sheet but did turn the ball over twice; oddly two of them came on traveling violations. Will Bynum and Rodney Stuckey had some success against him, but Kidd saved his best for the fourth quarter at both ends of the floor. Grade: B-
Iman Shumpert (8 points, 3-of-7 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block)
Shump’s debut was a shot in the arm for the Knicks as they got off to a good start at both ends of the floor for a change and took a 29-17 lead after the first quarter. He looked explosive and fearless and did a lot in only 15 minutes of action, including draining his first shot of the season- a corner three in the first. Grade: B
Chris Copeland (7 points, 3-of-6 shooting, 2 rebounds)
Copeland’s game is scoring the basketball and he really doesn’t give you much of anything else. Unfortunately the Knicks didn’t need much of Copeland in this game as he took only six shots in only 18 minutes of playing time. In addition he had some problems guarding Kyle Singler as Copeland didn’t have a great day defensively. Grade: C-
Carmelo Anthony (26 points, 8-of-19 shooting, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks)
Jan 17, 2013; London, United Kingdom; New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (left) celebrates with Carmelo Anthony (7) while on the bench during the game against the Detroit Pistons, at the O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Cunningham-USA TODAY Sports
London is where Anthony had tremendous success over the summer and he picked right up where he left off by coming out on fire in the first quarter, draining three triples in an 11 point first quarter. The only knock on Anthony was five turnovers, which can’t happen. Grade: B+
Tyson Chandler (10 points, 3-of-4 shooting, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks)
Chandler finished with a double-double and got off to a good start by grabbing seven rebounds in the first quarter. He did a great job of making Greg Monroe a non-factor and despite the Pistons scoring 22 more points in the paint than the Knicks, the Knicks outrebounded Detroit by eight and a majority of Detroit’s points in the paint came with Chandler on the bench. Grade: A-
Amar’e Stoudemire (17 points, 3-of-5 shooting, 4 rebounds)
Offensively it was Stoudemire’s best game since his return, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the first half and having a fantastic day from the charity stripe, by knocking down 11-of-12 attempts. But he wasn’t very good at the defensive end of the floor as Pistons’ rookie Andre Drummond abused him often. Hopefully the defense will come, but it was an encouraging performance from STAT. Grade: B
Ronnie Brewer (0 points, 0-of-1 shooting)
With the return of Shumpert, Brewer only got four minutes, which is a trend I expect to continue. Grade: Incomplete
Steve Novak (13 points, 5-of-9 shooting, 3 rebounds)
Novak didn’t make much of a difference again until late, but when the Pistons made their run, he drained some daggers. The Knicks don’t lose often when Novak hits five shots from the floor. Grade: B
Pablo Prigioni (0 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal)
Prigioni didn’t attempt a shot in 21 minutes, but was otherwise solid. Grade: C
J.R. Smith (16 points, 6-of-15 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals)
It was a typical performance from Smith, who didn’t shoot well, but was all over the court and filled the stat sheet at both ends of the floor. Smith was only 1-of-6 from behind the arc and turned it over four times, but otherwise impacted the game in a positive way. Grade: B-
James White: Played only one minute. Grade: Incomplete
Kurt Thomas: DNP- Coach’s Decision
Rasheed Wallace: DNP- Sore Left Foot
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