In his last five games, Morris played 26.0 minutes per game with averages of 12.8 points, 4.6 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks and 0.8 treys on 51.8 percent from the field. “Even though they shot extremely well and everybody was involved in the game on their behalf, sometimes it felt like we weren’t even competing out there at times”.
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With the Wizards trailing 60-54, Morris’ alley-oop dunk and Wall’s 3-pointer started a 20-3 run and Washington led 76-66 after three. With the loss, NY drops to 28-41 overall which is good enough for third last in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have several players they can build around, including All-Star SF Carmelo Anthony, rookie PF Kristaps Porzingis, and newly-signed PG Tony Wroten.
The Knicks led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter but started to get into trouble late in the period after Anthony began missing shots. The New York Knicks, who visit the Wizards on Saturday, are not in the postseason fight in the East but could pull off a split of a six-game road trip with a victory in Washington.
Jose Calderon played and scored 10 points after injuring his calf in New York’s 121-85 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. He scored 20 points, shot 7-for-14 and grabbed seven rebounds.
Porter’s surge mixed in with one of Morris’ putback slams ended any drama.
Wall’s streak of triple-doubles ended at two, but he also limited his turnovers to one after committing 17 combined in Washington’s last two wins.
New York’s defense generates the fewest turnovers per game in the league.
Meanwhile, the Wizards will be aiming for a fourth straight win tonight after sneaking past the 76ers in a 99-94 win on Thursday. Take Washington to roll at home and win by double digits. However, he sprained his ankle stepping on Wall’s foot in the second quarter. He soon left the game, but returned to start the third quarter. Calderon didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Notes & quotes: Arron Afflalo came off the bench for the third straight game after missing two games with an abdominal strain.
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Carmelo Anthony will sit out of Sunday’s Knicks-Kings game due to lingering effects from migraine headaches that first surfaced on Saturday night, the team said. NY coach Kurt Rambis said he’s yet to decide if the move would stick, but mentioned Afflalo’s presence provides the second unit with needed scoring….
