Clock Ticking on Thibs Tenure in New York

The Knicks' have allowed 186 wide-open three-pointers this season, more than any team in the NBA.

The Mavs entered MSG in a rut. 

They were coming off an embarrassing loss to the Pistons on Thursday, their fifth loss in their previous six contests. And, before Saturday's matinee matchup vs. New York, Dallas had also lost eight of the nine road games they played this season. They were one of only two teams in the league without multiple road wins entering Saturday's contest.

Yet, the Mavs were dancing and laughing on their sideline for nearly the entire fourth quarter vs. New York, as their starters got extended rest. There were even some "MVP" chants for Luka Doncic in the second half. By the time the final buzzer sounded at the end of regulation, the visitors were jubilant. "I think it's great that everyone's in the locker room smiling," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said after the Mavs 121-100 blowout victory. "Everybody saw the ball go in."

That's what Madison Square Garden has become for opponents, a place to go and get easy wins. 

After the game, former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. was asked, "where did this come from?" His response: "Me being on the other side of the court for multiple years, knowing when visitors come in here; if you're ever in a shooting slump…I don't know, just something about playing at the Garden that lifts everybody's spirits… We love playing in New York."

There is plenty we can talk about from a schematic or tactical perspective (the Knicks once again were decimated by the three-point shot - many of them wide-open), but I thought the lack of effort and fight New York delivered in the second half was the main takeaway. They died on screens and didn't compete for offensive boards.