MIAMI — There were many items to savor about Tuesday’s milestone 17th win in Atlanta. Derek Fisher’s crew got off to a solid start and broke it open in the third quarter with a 12-2 spree — the exact opposite their game on Dec. 26, when the club collapsed in the second half on the same court. They have learned.
The Hawks still made a rousing fourth-quarter comeback from 15 points down, but as the Knicks held on for dear life, needing one last basket to put it away, they did the refreshingly unexpected.
The Knicks did not rely on their three big guns – Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo or Kristaps Porzingis — even though each were having fine nights and combined for 63 points.