G League Westchester Knicks

Solid Effort from Westchester Knicks Offset by Drive

March 30, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Westchester Knicks News Release


Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive
Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive
(Westchester Knicks)

WHITE PLAINS, March 30, 2015 - The Westchester Knicks (10-37), the official NBA Development League affiliate of the New York Knickerbockers, lost a hard fought game at the Westchester County Center tonight, falling to the Grand Rapid Drive (22-25), the Detroit Pistons' affiliate, 111-103.

Fronting his first game as interim head coach, Craig Hodges said despite the loss, he was proud of the team's effort. "Sometimes when you're on the skid we've been on, it's tough," said Hodges. "I just try to remind the guys that playing basketball is a joy. They're not hanging their heads, they're having fun."

Grand Rapids went on a 10-0 run to start the game before Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo put Westchester on the board at the 8:34 mark in the first. The three-pointer was the boost the Knicks needed as they took a 13-0 run of their own, leaving the Drive stuck at 10. Grand Rapids regained the lead for a beat, but the last four minutes was all Westchester, who hit 6-of-7 from downtown and finished the quarter with the lead.

The Knicks held onto the lead through the second quarter until the final seconds as the Drive tied it up with 41.4 seconds on the clock. Grand Rapids had 20 points in the paint in the quarter, picking up another six off of five turnovers from the Knicks. The two teams would head into the locker room at the half tied at 61.

It was a lackluster third quarter for both teams as Grand Rapids shot just 37 percent overall, Westchester just 33 percent. The Knicks continued to afflict themselves with turnovers, committing another five in the third, but the Drive were only able to capitalize on three points. Taking the lead midway through the quarter, Grand Rapids held on and headed into the final twelve minutes up by five.

The Drive held onto the lead through the fourth quarter, going up by as much as twelve points. Westchester made it interesting, fighting back to get within five points off an Antetokounmpo tip followed up by a layup to get within three. But a three-point jumper from Drive forward Manny Atkins with 46 seconds on the clock sealed the deal for Grand Rapids as they went on to take the game 111-103.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo notched a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, also serving up three blocks. Finishing the night with 23 points, Darnell Jackson led the Knicks in scoring, just missing the double-double with nine rebounds. Ben Strong also notched a double-double, contributing 15 points and 11 rebounds, adding four assists.

Drive forward Adonis Thomas led all scorers with 34 points, grabbing the double-double with 10 rebounds. Kevin Murphy supplied 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Hasheem Thabeet grabbed a bewildering nine blocks, cushioned with 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Westchester Knicks hit the road for the last road trip of the season starting with a game on Wednesday, April 1 to take on the Iowa Energy, the Memphis Grizzlies' affiliate. The game will be broadcast live on MSG+ and the D-League's YouTube channel.

Tickets for the Westchester Knicks are on sale at Ticketmaster outlets and the Westchester County Center Box Office and start at $10. Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now. Visit westchesterknicks.com or call (914) 559-6889 for more information. Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team at: @wcknicks on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/wcknicks.

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Images from this story

Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive
Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive
 Westchester Knicks Dancer
Westchester Knicks Dancer
 Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive
Westchester Knicks vs. Grand Rapids Drive



NBA G League Stories from March 30, 2015


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