Knicks 108, Rockets 88: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Knicks 108, Rockets 88: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

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Knicks 108, Rockets 88: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

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The New York Knicks (19-18) play against the Houston Rockets (26-26) at Toyota Center

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Game Time: 7:00 PM EST on Saturday December 31, 2022

New York Knicks 108, Houston Rockets 88 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at Houston Chronicle — Rockets insider: Houston dragged down by turnovers ift.tt/IjcdXQh12:18 AM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Happy New Year, Knicks Fam ❗️ pic.twitter.com/XiXna0NiPu12:00 AM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
You want a weird one? Like, a really really weird one?
Four teams are currently in the top 10 in both offensive & defensive efficiency:
The first & second-place teams in the East, Boston & Brooklyn;
The second-place one in the West, New Orleans…
…and the New York Knicks. – 12:00 AM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Knicks end an up-and-down December 9-6 with the seventh-ranked offense in the NBA and third-ranked defense. They were third in the league in point differential per 100 possessions. – 11:41 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at Houston Chronicle — Knicks 108, Rockets 88: Houston ends 2022 with a loss ift.tt/pctdm3N11:18 PM
Josh Newman @Joshua_Newman
New Year’s Eve in New York City is for tourists. If you’re a native in Times Square, you can GTFO immediately. – 11:08 PM
Quentin Grimes @qdotgrimes
LOVE MY CITY ! 🤘🏽 – 10:54 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Julius Randle tonight:
35 PTS
12 REB
5 3P
6th 30/10 game this season. pic.twitter.com/Ce2S5O3i0G10:36 PM

New York Knicks @nyknicks
Got the dub in his hometown ✅ pic.twitter.com/z7AqUQYhPT10:35 PM

David Hardisty @clutchfans
With Detroit pulling a shocking upset in Minnesota, the Rockets, Pistons and Hornets now all have the same number of wins (10) at the “top” of the Lottery Race.
Next opponents for Houston: Mavs, Pelicans, Jazz, TWolves, Kings, Kings, Clippers. – 10:33 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets turnover rate last season: 16.2 percent
Rockets turnover rate this season: 17.2 percent – 10:23 PM
Alykhan Bijani @Rockets_Insider
Eric Gordon: “We don’t have the type of team where we can ISO or do this and or do that, we gotta do what’s best for one another.” pic.twitter.com/Tgn1jtwatK10:13 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Brought it on both ends of the court 🔋
3️⃣0️⃣ 35PTS | 12 REB | 6 AST
5️⃣ 27 PTS | 7 AST | 5 REB
6️⃣ 19 PTS | 2 AST | 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/TpIqC0gOwu10:05 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Question: “Are you seeing the improvement you thought you’d see when the season started?”
Eric Gordon: “There’s no improvement.” – 9:56 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Julius Randle caps off strong December with 35p, 12r, 6a in win vs HOU as NYK snaps 5-game losing streak. Randle hit 5 of 13 from 3 & went 12-for-16 on FTs. Solid case for Eastern Player of the Month. Entering tonight’s game, Randle was averaging 27.9p, 11.4r & 4.1 in December. – 9:40 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Ending the year with a dub ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Lm2bqctG2J9:35 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Scoot flirted with a triple-double tonight!
📊 23 PTS
📊 10 REB
📊 8 AST
@CreditKarma l #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/tKwj6UdyiT9:34 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets lose to the Knicks 108-88 as they end 2022 by losing 8-of-9. They shot 30.5 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from behind the three-point line with 21 turnovers after the first quarter. It seemed worse – 9:28 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Final: Knicks 108, Rockets 88.
Knicks snap a five-game losing streak, improve to 19-18 on the season.
• Randle 35-12-6
• Quickley 27-5-7
• Grimes 19 pts
• Robinson 6 & 12, 3 blks, 3 stls
• KPJ 23-10-8
Knicks score 37 points off 25 turnovers forced. – 9:26 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
#Rockets fall to the Knicks, 108-88. Houston shoots 37.7%, their 2nd lowest shooting performance of the season. Porter Jr. w/ 23p, 10r, 8a. – 9:26 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Knicks Win!!!!! – 9:25 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
The New York Knicks won a basketball game. – 9:24 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
another look at Tari’s tough finish! pic.twitter.com/hl18VSdFzl9:22 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Stephen Silas has emptied the bench with the Rockets down 18 with 2:44 left. The Knicks, well…have not.. despite cries for Cam from the crowd. – 9:20 PM
Alykhan Bijani @Rockets_Insider
There are too many moments when a #Rockets defender is playing man-to-man defense, and when their assignment gets to the paint and passes the ball to the perimeter, the defender, for some reason, forgets their assignment. Leads to so many offensive rebounds and breakdowns. – 9:20 PM
Alykhan Bijani @Rockets_Insider
#Rockets learning how to execute a proper sideline double-team. But now they need to learn how to defend the other 4 players when the double-team is made. Who’s defending corner? Cutter from slot? Knicks have made a few cross-court 3s. Poor weak-side defense by Houston. – 9:17 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Fournier has done a good job tonight. Made some good reads on offense. Took the right shots. Made the extra pass twice in the 4th. Guarded Mathews well. Stuck with him around screens and even denied a pass to him on a good Mathews cut. Impressive when he hasn’t played in forever. – 9:17 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
How bad are the Rockets? The Knicks shooting 36% and are winning by 17 in the fourth quarter. – 9:16 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Mitch knew it was good from the release 📸 pic.twitter.com/VD6JruDrpE9:15 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
The Knicks fans in attendance have started a “We Want Cam” chant with the Knicks up 18 – 9:15 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Randle has made a couple of beautiful crosscourt passes to Grimes in this one. Reading the game well tonight. Attacking when needed, distributing when needed. Knows the Rockets can’t defend him with one guy – 9:14 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Rough one for Garrison Mathews tonight. 0-for-5 from deep. – 9:14 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Pretty hard to be down 16 at home to a team shooting 37 % But with 5 1/2 minutes left, Rockets two turnovers from season high 26, one point shy of opponent season high of 36 points off turnovers. Ugly stuff. – 9:12 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Cannot overstate how important Mitchell Robinson’s offensive rebounding is, especially with Brunson out. – 9:11 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
I don’t know if Boban has been the Rockets best center tonight, but he sure as hell hasn’t been their worst – 9:07 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
what a way to ring in the New Year 💍
Congrats to the happy couple! pic.twitter.com/VPyvA0EXa19:04 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets are up to 23 turnovers, which have led to 32 Knicks points – 9:03 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
I don’t know how long Randle can sit if this is what happens – 8:55 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
1 more quarter to go
Rockets: 70
Knicks: 82
@Kroger | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/XeeCe3MoDX8:51 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Through three quarters, the Knicks lead the Rockets 82-70.
• Randle 30-7-3
• Quickley 18-4-6
• Grimes 14 pts
• KPJ 21-8-8
Knicks have attempted 27 free throws compared to 10 for Rockets. – 8:50 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
K.J. Martin making smart reads out of short rolls. Water is wet. Rockets within 7. – 8:47 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs down 103-93 entering the 4Q.
Doncic has 42 points, eclipsing the 41 the Knicks’ Julius Randle had the other night for the most by a Spurs foe this season.
Spurs have 5 in double figures, including Keldon (27) and Sochan (14). – 8:44 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
18 turnovers for Houston. Still 3 minutes to go. In the 3rd. – 8:39 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets are up to 18 turnovers – 8:37 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
For two straight games, the Knicks offense has gone one of two ways:
1. Quickley shoots
2. Randle shoots
And that’s it. – 8:35 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Grimes doing it off the dribble 🪣 pic.twitter.com/kQFUjGebwX8:34 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
the second half starts now!
📺 @ATTSportsNetSW pic.twitter.com/HW83pC0KPr8:24 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Quentin Grimes returns home to Houston as a big part of the Knicks’ core newsday.com/sports/basketb… via @Newsday8:11 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Halftime. Knicks lead the Rockets 53-49.
• Randle 21 & 4
• Quickley 10-4-4
• Robinson 4 & 6, 3 blks
• Green 10-2-2
• KPJ 9-5-6
Knicks won the second quarter 26-14. – 8:10 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets trail 53-49 at halftime. The offense cratered in the second quarter. They scored 14 points on 6-of-22 shooting, 1-of-12 from three. Julius Randle has 21 points on 12 shots – 8:09 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Something that’s been proven abundantly clear over the past six quarters, if it wasn’t already: Knicks defense really goes as Mitchell Robinson does – 8:09 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Knicks with an ugly first half — and lead 53-49. The magic of facing the 10-25 Rockets. Down 9 – 18-5 run to end the half. Randle with 21 points. Knicks shooting 35%, 24% from 3. – 8:09 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Usman Garuba is playing power forward. First time all season the Rockets have had two of Sengun, Fernando or Garuba on the floor at the same time – 8:07 PM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
A defense optional 1st half in SA w/Mavs leading 68-64. Mavs shoot 57.4%, SA 62.8. Luka His 3rd 30 pt half of the last week (32 at HOU, 31 vs NY), 7th of his career. 2nd half soon @971TheFreak8:06 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
only sickos in attendance for this Knicks/Rockets game pic.twitter.com/HooHF22GhD7:54 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
This is not the first time the Rockets have used the Boban zone defense. Went with it, if memory serves, in New Orleans. Going to assume it is the first time in a lineup with Mathews, Washington Jr., Eason and Gordon. – 7:52 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Quickley only had 2 turnovers in 95 minutes over the last two games — has 3 already in 13 minutes tonight and is 1-for-6 (0-for-4 from 3) – 7:48 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Garuba going in for the 𝗝𝗔𝗠‼️
@Usman Garuba | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/upG1nmCz6o7:47 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
With Jabari Smith Jr in foul trouble and Alperen Sengun unavailable, Boban will get first half minutes – 7:45 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Rockets are 8-for-12 from 3 – lead the Knicks 35-27 after one quarter. Yeah, you should watch the football game. – 7:39 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Knicks are aware they don’t have to allow 30 points every quarter, right? – 7:38 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
End of the first
Rockets: 35
Knicks: 27
@Kroger | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/VL48pYWipx7:38 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets lead 35-27 after a quarter. They shot 61 percent and made eight threes. Thibs is not happy. Julius Randle kept the Knicks in it by getting to the FT line – 7:38 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Through one quarter, the Rockets lead the Knicks 35-27.
• Randle 12 & 2
• Grimes 7 pts
• Green 10 pts
• KPJ 6-3-6
Rockets are 8-12 from deep. – 7:38 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Jalen fired up for this one. 10 points here in the first quarter. Rockets lead 35-27 over the Knicks. – 7:37 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Julius Randle doing everything for the Knicks and he needs help. – 7:35 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Houston’s halfcourt issues (30th in efficiency per CTG) are interesting — you watch them and can see they can run simple sets but have a hard time getting from point C to D. Missing a connector type. Jae’Sean Tate should help with that. – 7:28 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Julius Randle just gets off to hot starts over and over. Only Luka Doncic has scored more points in first quarters this season. – 7:28 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets go to a zone and it looked like they had never played it before. Randle hits a 3 against it – 7:27 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
K.J. Martin and Quentin Grimes both in the game. The two youngest guys in the NBA wearing No. 6. One could be the last to ever wear No. 6 in an NBA game. – 7:26 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
The Rockets have had a massive turnover problem for the past two years. Knicks have to keep taking advantage of those steals and make sure to push. – 7:25 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets have Garuba on Randle and Eason on Mitchell Robinson – 7:25 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Two fouls on Jabari Smith Jr. Julius Randle is a tough matchup for him, and the Rockets can’t really slide a center onto him because the Knicks play with 2 bigs – 7:22 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
QDot looking comfy in his hometown ❗️
7 PTS early in Q1 pic.twitter.com/SIwjE5p7vI7:20 PM

Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Bari starting us off with the triple!
@Toyota | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/qh2bQqaN3P7:17 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Who’s turning off TCU-Michigan to watch the Knicks and Rockets? … On second thought, don’t reveal yourselves. – 7:14 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Quentin Grimes hits a three to start the scoring, as it should be. – 7:13 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
I’ve been to bigger Rockets-Knicks games pic.twitter.com/ruHLMvrtFq7:11 PM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
It’s your usual — at least second straight game usual — starters for Knicks: Grimes, McBride, Quickley, Randle and Robinson. Bruno Fernando starts in place of Sengun for Rockets with Eric Gordon, Kevin Porter Jr, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith. – 7:09 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Knicks starters:
Immanuel Quickley
Miles McBride
Quentin Grimes
Julius Randle
Mitchell Robinson – 7:08 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Immanuel Quickley, Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson starting for NYK tonight vs HOU team says. Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett remain out due to injury. – 7:07 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Alepren Sengun won’t play tonight pic.twitter.com/H2oOOy6hMM7:06 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets and Knicks are two teams that actually try to get offensive rebounds, Rockets have the league’s highest offensive rebound rate, while the Knicks are third. Big difference is that the Rockets crash the offensive glass with everyone, while the Knicks crash with 2 guys – 7:01 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
#Rockets starters vs Knicks: Fernando, Gordon, Green, Porter Jr., Smith Jr.
Knicks starters: Grimes, McBride, Quickley, Randle, Robinson – 6:46 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Your starters for tonight!
📺: @ATTSportsNetSW
@ReliantEnergy | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/J5cJUw4FmN6:40 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Rockets starters
Kevin Porter Jr
Jalen Green
Eric Gordon
Jabari Smith Jr
Bruno Fernando
Alperen Sengun is a late scratch with back soreness – 6:31 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
QDot is back in his hometown pic.twitter.com/u52pCIymGG6:28 PM

Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Happy New Year, everyone. As you likely know by now, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Brunson and I are sitting out Rockets-Knicks tonight. In my case, @danielle_lerner will ably take it from here so if you don’t already follow her, you know what to do. – 6:20 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
#Rockets Alperen Sengun is a late scratch w/ lower back pain. Knicks also downgraded Jalen Brunson (sore hip) to OUT. – 6:19 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Knicks announce Jalen Brunson (sore right hip) had been ruled out of tonight’s game vs. Houston – 6:15 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Rockets Alperen Sengun – late scratch with a sore lower back. – 6:14 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Jalen Brunson is out tonight for a third straight game because of a hip injury. – 6:13 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Knicks say Jalen Brunson (sore right hip) is out tonight vs Houston. – 6:09 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Knicks say Jalen Brunson is again sidelined by a sore right hip.
More NBA from me: marcstein.Substack.com6:08 PM
New York Knicks PR @NY_KnicksPR
Jalen Brunson (sore right hip) is out. – 6:07 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Jalen Brunson is OUT vs. the Rockets for a third straight game with a sore right hip. Progressing, but out again. – 6:04 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Grimes returns home to Houston as a big part of the Knicks’ core
After missing last season’s game in Houston, he’s back in the area where he grew up as part of the Knicks’ starting lineup.  newsday.com/sports/basketb…5:24 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
New #Rockets at Houston Chronicle — Rockets rookie TyTy Washington getting comfortable in NBA role ift.tt/siyMXaR5:18 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Which team will attempt the most free throws in the 2nd half?
@DraftKings | #Rockets5:09 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Houston survives at home against UCF.
Sasser and Mark combine for 37 points in the win.
Johnny Dawkins team with a trio of near-misses against Miami, Houston and Missouri. Three losses by a combined 10 points. Also lost season opener by 3 to UNC Asheville. – 4:11 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Houston-UCF gpojg down to the wire. Definitely the best game I’ll see all year in standard def. – 3:56 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Awesome endings coming:
Houston 63, UCF 61
Oklahoma State 57, Kansas 55
Arizona 61 ASU 52
Iowa State 63, Baylor 52
Oklahoma 60, Texas 57
Marquette 66, Villanova 66 – 3:56 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Updated Spurs injury report for tonight vs. Mavericks:
Keita Bates-Diop has been downgraded from available to out due to a non-COVID illness.
Devin Vassell remains doubtful with a sore left knee, which forced him to sit out Thursday’s win over the Knicks. – 3:42 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Ed Malloy is the crew chief for Rockets-Knicks, so the Rockets go all of 2022 without having Scott Foster work one of their games. Foster has worked just one Rockets game during the Silas era, and they won that game pic.twitter.com/jIXo8f9NYX3:20 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Ed Malloy is the crew chief for Rockets-Knicks, so the Rockets go all of 2022 without having Scott Foster work one of their games. Foster has worked just one Rockets game during the Silas era, and they won that game – 3:20 PM
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
We have a good window of 2 pm games right now:
Oklahoma State 45, at Kansas 30
At Houston 39, UCF 38
At Oklahoma 43, Texas 38
At Iowa State 32, Baylor 31
And then you have Arizona:
Arizona 45, at Arizona State 28 – 3:16 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Houston-UCF is a pretty big game to have the local high school A/V club handling the camera work. – 3:13 PM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
📅 On this day in 2016, the @Houston Rockets James Harden ended the calendar year with a bang, tallying 53 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists in a win over the Knicks.
He’s the only player in NBA history to record at least 50p/15r/15a in a game.
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes…3:11 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
The 5 moments that defined a disappointing 2022 for the Knicks nydailynews.com/sports/basketb…3:05 PM
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
Bring in the new year with us 🚀
⏰ 6:00 PM Tip-Off
📺 @ATTSportsNetSW
📻 @SportsTalk790 / En Español 93.3 FM TUDN pic.twitter.com/mUnbTu9uZL3:00 PM

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