I was wondering why it took so long for New York Knicks coach David Fizdale to meet with media after his team stole a 103-98 win at FedExForum on Sunday night. It was because he had to change clothes.
Apparently, his team really wanted to get the win for their coach – despite his desires that the game NOT be about him. So when they won it, they doused him with ice water after the game.
“All I felt was water and cold,” Fizdale smiled. “I’m not sticky, so that’s how I know it was water. Ruined my suit.” But, for a Knicks team that’s playing better lately, he’ll take it.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies, who controlled the game for the first half, let go of the rope in the third quarter. That’s when the Knicks stamped a 35-19 quarter on them to seize control, momentum and ultimately the game.
Once again, the Grizzlies were dominated on the glass, 56-41. Knicks center Enes Kanter had a lot to do with that, snagging 26 of those rebounds. Ouch.
After the game, Grizzlies Coach JB Bickerstaff was visibly bothered with how his team played. When I asked what adjustments the Knicks made at the half, he paused and replied, “I don’t know that they made adjustments,” he said. “There were things we usually do that we didn’t do.”
Just three days ago, the Grizzlies were at the top of the NBA and riding a five-game winning streak. Now, they’ve lost two games in a row, and it doesn’t get easier with the Toronto Raptors arriving on Tuesday.
Check out the postgame comments below, including Fizdale’s postgame presser, in which he remarks on Bickerstaff, Gasol, Conley and how the Grizzlies are shaping up so far this season.
