The New York Knicks needed Friday night’s contest against the visiting Brooklyn Nets if they wanted any chance of grabbing the East’s 2-seed. The Brooklyn Nets just needed the game to start and end to bring them within 48 hours of merciful end to their disappointing season.
As such, the Nets were missing four rotation players. Initially, this worked in their advantage.
Not only was Brooklyn starting rookie and recent savior Noah Clowney at the 4, but Trendon Watford was making his first start of the season, playing the nominal point guard role. Clowney scored the first two points of the night, then Watford started pouring it on, and the Nets were off.