Fizdale Gets Win In Revenge Game
David Fizdale downplayed his return to Memphis on Sunday night against a team he coached just last season, but everyone knew heading in this game was personal.
Everyone including the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks outlasted the Memphis Grizzlies 103-98 on Sunday night at the FedExForum to win their third consecutive game.
Enes Kanter led the New York Knicks with yet another 20-20 game as he finished with 21 points and a career-high 26 rebounds in a monstrous performance.
Tim Hardaway Jr. would score a team-high 22 points in his 38 minutes of action.
Grit and grind are two things that the Memphis Grizzlies pride themselves in. It comes as no surprise that’s also a blueprint for success for David Fizdale as a head coach, who’s team outmuscled the defensive-minded Grizzlies on their home floor.
The New York Knicks used a third quarter surge that saw them outscore Memphis 35-19 to gain the edge in a game they trailed by nine points at the half.
Memphis would claw their way back to the lead late in the fourth quarter thanks to Marc Gasol (27 points, eight rebounds), and Mike Conley (23 points, 11 assists), but New York would be the team to finish strong.
Emmanuel Mudiay would score on a highlight reel slam dunk over Grizzlies’ guard Garrett Temple for an and-1 opportunity which he would convert to give New York a 97-93 lead with 1:35 remaining.
The Knicks would come up huge on defense thereafter, with Trey Burke and Noah Vonleh recording critical shot blocks on consecutive possessions to turn back the host Grizzlies. Free throws by Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke and Frank Ntilikina would seal the victory for New York.
The New York Knicks (7-14) have put together their best string of games this season over the past week.
It first began by pushing the Portland Trail Blazers to the limit at Madison Square Garden in a close defeat before stunning the Boston Celtics the next night in Boston, winning at home vs the New Orleans Pelicans, and now a victory on the road vs a formidable Memphis Grizzlies team.
New York made up for a 37 percent shooting night by out-rebounding Memphis 56-41 and at the free throw line as they shot 27-for-32 compared to 11-for-19 for Memphis.
Energy and effort, a key to the New York Knicks success, it’s redemption for coach David Fizdale, who a season after leading Memphis to the playoffs was fired 15 games into the 2017-18 season.
The New York Knicks will look to continue their winning ways when they visit Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Pistons.
What are your thoughts on the New York Knicks victory on Sunday night? Leave your comments below!
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