NBA Power Rankings: Here comes the trade deadline

The Knicks were able to finish a season sweep of the Nets, winning 111-95 over their cross-town rival. Enes Kanter and Kristaps Porzingis went off against the overwhelmed Nets froncourt, with Kanter racking up a 20/20 game while Porzingis scored 28 points and five rebounds (Kanter didn’t leave any rebounds for his teammate). The Knicks lost both games on a short two-game road trip, getting blown out by the Celtics and narrowly losing to the Bucks. Terry Rozier went off against the Knicks backcourt in a spot start for Kyrie Irving, picking up a triple-double in a game the Knicks would lose by 30 points, 103-73. The 73 points is a season-low for the Knicks, as they shot just 32 percent from the floor with just eight points in the fourth quarter, failing to take advantage of garbage time to help pad some stats.

Giannis Antetokounmpo flipped in the game-winning layup for a 92-90 win, with Porzingis unable to get his fingers on the ball despite a solid effort helping contest the shot. Tim Hardaway Jr. had a chance to give the Knicks the lead late, but missed two free throws, and Antetokounmpo seized the moment. The Knicks were only able to score three points in the final two minutes against the Hawks, losing 99-96 after Atlanta finished the game on a 12-3 run.

Porzingis complained to media after the game about the Knicks inability to win close games, with the Knicks dropping to 2-6 in games decided by three points or fewer. “We’re learning how to win,” he said after the game. “We’re doing the same thing over and over again.”