New York Knicks: Their 5 Worst Losses This Season That Should Have Been Wins

If LeBron James left Cleveland because he didn’t think much of his supporting cast, he’s clearly not watching the Cavaliers play the New York Knicks.

For the second time this season, the Cavaliers defended their home court against New York, winning 115-109 on Friday night. Antawn Jamison led Cleveland with 28 points, while J.J. Hickson went for 24 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. New York was out-rebounded 62-42.

With Philadelphia and Indiana right behind the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings, this was a game the Knicks had to have before going up against Miami. Because this loss wasn’t depressing enough, it got this writer thinking about what other losses may come back to haunt the Knicks. 

October 30th: Portland Trail Blazers (95-100)

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks over Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

After a Bill Walker three-pointer with 5:32 left gave the Knicks a 92-83 lead, Portland would go on a 17-3 run to close out the game and spoil New York’s home opener.  The run was keyed by LaMarcus Aldridge, who finished with 20 points, and Andre Miller, who finished with 19. Brandon Roy led all scorers with 29.

The Knicks would have a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds when Amar’e Stoudemire drove to the hoop. Marcus Camby knocked the ball out of his hands, and video replay showed the ball hit Stoudemire’s right thigh before it went out, giving Portland possession. It was one of six turnovers on the night for Stoudemire.

Key Stat: Portland shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arc, while New York shot 25 percent. 

December 15th: Boston Celtics (116-118)

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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics walks on court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using

This game will be remembered as much for the shot that didn’t count as the one that did.

Despite a 39-point game for Stoudemire, it was Paul Pierce who got to take the victory lap on this night as he hit a jumper for two of his 32 points with four-tenths of a second left to win the game. Boston trailed by seven entering the fourth quarter and out-scored New York 35-26.

Equally painful was that Stoudemire’s three-point attempt after Pierce's jumper was good. However, the shot was waved off after video replay showed that the ball was still in Stoudemire's hands at the buzzer.

Key Stat: Boston shot 50 percent from three-point territory and was perfect from the foul line (21-21).  

December 18th: At Cleveland Cavaliers (102-109, OT)

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BOSTON - MAY 07: Antawn Jamison #4, Mo Williams #2, LeBron James #23 and Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walk to the bench during a game against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NB

Perhaps it was due to a hangover after gearing up for the NBA’s best in Boston and Miami, but you can’t call yourself an elite team if you can’t beat who you are supposed to.

After a Raymond Felton jumper gave New York a 93-89 lead with 52.9 seconds left, Cleveland tied the score on a layup by Antawn Jamison and then a floater by Mo Williams. Stoudemire missed a fall-back jumper as time expired. Cleveland took charge of the game in the overtime session and the Knicks suffered its third straight loss. Danilo Gallinari had an especially bad game, shooting 3-of-14 and 1-of-10 on three-point field goals.

Key Stat: New York committed 19 turnovers in this game to Cleveland’s 13. Stoudemire had eight.

January 22nd: at Oklahoma City Thunder (98-101)

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is

In a game that featured 12 lead changes and nine tied scores, the Knicks led by six with three minutes left. With the Knicks up 98-95 and 1:04 to go, Serge Ibaka grabbed an offensive rebound, his 15th overall. He was subsequently fouled and then hit two free throws to bring the Thunder within one. The Knicks would have a chance to score on their last two possessions but came up empty each time. This set the stage for Kevin Durant to shoot a fall-away three over Danilo Gallinari at the buzzer for the win.

Key Stats: In addition to out-rebounding the Knicks 57-40, Oklahoma City got to the free-throw line 34 times and made 28 shots. New York went to the charity stripe 21 times, making 15. 

February 4th: at Philadelphia 76ers (98-100)

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on October 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

The Knicks led going into the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia outscored New York 27-16 in the final period to overtake them for a second time this season. Elton Brand scored 33 points and had 16 rebounds.

The Knicks were down 100-92 and scored six straight points. After Lou Williams missed a shot with 14.4 seconds to go, the Knicks pushed the ball up the court. Shawne Williams passed on an open three-pointer and drove to the hoop instead, missing the shot as time expired.

Key Stats: New York shot only 29.6 percent from three-point territory. Philadelphia made all but one of its 18 free throws.