The Knicks lost tonight to the somewhere Hornets, 103-94. Not much to say - the Knicks got off to a good start, hustling and playing well. They led 23-19 after one, thanks mostly to Eddy Curry's quick start.
Then in the second quarter the Knicks looked real tired. They couldn't stop NO from scoring nor hold on to the ball. NO outscored the Knicks 32-14 in the second. They extend the lead to 15 in the 3rd, before the Knicks mounted a mini-comeback, lead mostly by Curry and Mardy Collins (14 points, 6 assists, both career highs). Jannero Pargo seemed to have a big three everyime the Knicks got close, though.
It was 88-77 New Orleans with 3:34 left in the game. The Knicks then went on a 12-0 run, capped by a big three pointer by Nate Robinson to take the lead 89-88 with less than a minute to go. Desmond Mason somehow hit a couple of free throws (the worst form ever, commented Kenny Smith. In fact, Kenny and Gus suggested he would be better off turning around and shooting them backwards), giving the Hornets a one-point lead. 
The Knicks missed a couple of opportunities to score, particularly when Robinson turned the ball over; after a foul Chris Paul hit both free throws to make it a three point game, and with less than ten seconds left, on a broken play Mardy Collins somehow got the ball out to an open Robinson who nailed another clutch three to tie the game.
The game went into overtime where the Knicks officially ran out of gas. A disappointing finish to a pretty boring game that was improbably turned into a thriller.
Things to take from this game: Mardy Collins is making a case for some burn next season. Expect him to take Francis place in the rotation next season. The real question now is what to do with Robinson? He showed both his clutchness in shooting, and his propensity for key turnovers and defensive lapses. He is still streaky, and at best a subpar version of Crawford. We don't see how Robinson fits in next year other than as a backup in case of an injury... he just doesn't belong in the rotation otherwise.
The Knicks remaining schedule (they are now three games behind the Nets):
4/4 vs Philadelphia: Winnable. The Knicks won't lose at home to the 76ers.
4/6 vs Minnesota: Winnable, but tough. Still, it's a home game against a T-Wolves team with nothing to play for.
4/7 at Milwaukee: Likely loss. The Knicks aren't going to win the second half of a back to back with their current lack of depth. It's the main reason they didn't win tonight. Furthermore the Knicks do poorly against the Bucks and Mo Williams.
4/9 vs. Detroit: Winnable. I'll be there, they will win. No seriously - the Knicks play well against good teams, they can beat a Pistons team that has little left to play for, and is probably going to rest its injured players (Billups, Webber).
4/10 at Chicago: Loss. Highly motivated Bulls team (this game could make difference between the 2-seed and the 5-seed) that also could get a better pick if they beat the Knicks. They will put a spirited effort out there, and with Big Ben blocking the Knicks from getting inside the paint, it's hard to see how they'll put up any points. This will probably end up with the Bulls winning 79-61 or something.
4/13 at New Jersey: Have to win. Don't matter what they do, they have to beat the Nets to have any chance.
4/15 at Toronto: We know they can beat the Raptors. Can they beat the Raptors in Toronto? Nah, we're gonna go with "no" on this one.
4/16 vs. New Jerseys: Have to win.
4/18 at Charlotte: Winnable.
So even if they win all the games that even mildly winnable, they are probably no better than 37-45. In other words, its official. The Knicks will not make the playoffs. Stating the obvious, probably.
Oh, and we hate Joe Kim Noah. We would have been in first in the Battle of the Blog if not for Joe Kim. We're gonna bet the house on Oden and OSU on Monday just out of pure spite. We do still love his dad, though....
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