The New York Knicks have lost five of their last six games.
The Knicks dropped a game against the Phoenix Suns 112-107 for their fifth loss in six games on Friday night.
Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks led the way for the Suns with 31 and 27 points respectively while Jalen Brunson was the offensive leader for the Knicks with 27 points.
The Knicks fought hard to keep it close, but after they were outclassed in third quarter by six points they found themselves struggling to keep their heads above water with just one more quarter to go.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThat doesn't mean they went out easily, though. New York turned the defensive effort up a notch in the fourth, holding Phoenix to just 18 points, the least that either team scored in a quarter all game. The Knicks' offense didn't correspond to their defense, though. Despite outscoring the Suns 21-18 in the fourth quarter, costly mistakes the game created to great of a gap to cross.
A Fourth Quarter Comeback
"I've got to give our guys credit... They fought well enough to give us a chance to win... Holding them to 18 points was great, playing a double big lineup, but at the end of the day when you have 18 turnovers for 22 points compared to their 10 turnovers for 11 points on the road it's going to be tough to overcome," Knicks head coach Mike Brown said (via BASKETMAN).
Turnovers were the clear difference maker in Friday's game. Without the numerous lost possessions, the Knicks and Suns had nearly equal team stats. Both teams had identical field goal percentages, even if Phoenix had a few more attempts, while both teams each shot 16 three pointers and were within just a few free throws and assists of each other.
The Knicks even had the clear advantage when it came rebounds, collecting 50 boards to the Suns' 37.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesFalling in the Standings
The downward spiral the Knicks have been on recently finally cost them their first place spot in the Atlantic Division after falling to the Suns as they now trail the Boston Celtics by half a game.
Consistency across the entire game has been the Knicks' recurring problem across their losing streak and that was on full display against the Suns. Their fourth quarter take over proved that the Knicks still have talent level to control games, but they haven't been able to show it in their games lately until it's already too late.
"We just have to make sure we try to do this for 48 minutes and not wait until the last quarter to turn it on defensively. Especially on the road," Brown said.