The New York Knicks can't seem to catch a break at the end of games. This time, it was trouble in Houston as the Rockets took home a win, 102-100, after J.R. Smith heaved an unnecessary three-pointer off a quick rebound late in the game.
J.R. Smith, Knicks lose on yet another late-game blunder
Late-game situations are fast becoming a sore spot for the New York Knicks, who lost to the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
More from our team site
More from our team site
With the score locked at 100-100, Beno Udrih took a corner three-pointer for the lead with 25 seconds remaining. Udrih's jumper fell short, and Tyson Chandler grabbed the rebound. Chandler kicked back out to Udrih, who passed to Smith at the top of the key.
Much to the delight of the Rockets, Smith shot the ball instead of holding for the last play with the shot clock off. He missed, and Udrih fouled Houston guard Aaron Brooks on the ensuing rebound, sending him to the free throw line with 17 seconds remaining.
Smith told reporters after the game that he took the shot because he thought the Knicks were down by two points:
Brooks made his free throws, giving the Rockets a 102-100 lead. New York got a chance at an Iman Shumpert jumper with 10 seconds left and an Udrih runner as time expired, but Houston prevailed and took home the win at the Toyota Center.
The play harkened back to when Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani did the exact same thing in an OT game against the Milwaukee Bucks in December.
