New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee discusses when he thinks he could come back from injury.
Chris Iseman, Staff Writer, @chrisiseman
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three in a row.
After struggling to close out victories through the first 18 games of the season, the Knicks have put together a three-game winning streak.
Their latest win came Sunday night when they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 103-98, in an emotional victory for coach David Fizdale in his return to Memphis.
Here are five takeaways from the streak:
1. Closing out victories
The situation was reoccurring throughout the early part of the season: The Knicks would have a lead late in a game, but then would fall apart in the game's final minutes. They'd allow their opponent to go on a run, regain the lead and end up with a win.
But the Knicks have shown significant improvement in their last three wins. When teams have made that late run, he Knicks haven't been folding.
Memphis was up by one point Sunday night after Mike Conley hit a jumper with 1:56 left, but the Knicks responded and made the plays they needed to make.
"The thing I’m most happy with is the way that we’re taking punches and we keep coming and we’re figuring out ways to win games now," Fizdale said. "Whether it’s getting stops. A timely executed play. Big shot from somebody. This young team is starting to figure a couple things out."
What's been the difference?
"We’re just locking up defensively and we’re being more talkative on the defensive end," Emmanuel Mudiay said. "So I think that’s what’s really setting us apart right now."
2. Emmanuel Mudiay playing well
In the last three games, Mudiay is averaging 16.3 points on 43.2 percent shooting (30.8 percent from the perimeter). He scored 27 points in the Knicks' win over the Pelicans and followed that up with a 17-point showing against the Grizzlies.
The guard had a big moment late in the fourth quarter against Memphis, when he ferociously dunked over Garrett Temple. Temple fouled him on the play, and Mudiay sank the free throw to convert the three-point play and give the Knicks a crucial four-point lead.
In his seven games as the starting point guard, Mudiay is averaging 14.7 points, three rebounds and 2.7 assists. He's shooting 52.1 percent from the field in that stretch.
Fizdale said the biggest factor for him was restoring Mudiay's confidence.
"He has my total confidence," Fizdale said. "A big part of his deal was just can I rebuild that. There really wasn’t a lot of stuff that we had to tinker with his game. Maybe a shot a little bit here. But it was just rebuilding his spirit. It’s back and I’m really proud of the way he’s really leading that first group."
3. Monster performance by Enes Kanter
Kanter had a huge showing Sunday night, scoring 21 points and grabbing 26 rebounds to help the Knicks get the win.
During the three-game winning streak, Kanter is averaging 16 points and 16 rebounds per game.
"I want my teammates to know – and I’ve been saying it from Day 1 – shoot it with confidence," Kanter said. "Whenever you miss the shot, I’m going to get the rebound. So shoot it with confidence. And they’ve been doing an unbelievable job making shots, but whenever they miss, I’m there to get the rebound."
There's always going to be criticism about Kanter because of his defense, though he wasn't bad on that end of the floor Sunday night. Regardless, his consistent scoring output and rebounding ability is invaluable.
"He was on a mission tonight," Fizdale said. "I didn’t want to take him out of the game because he was just playing so well. His effort on both ends of the floor has been fantastic."
4. Rookie struggles for Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson
Knox and Robinson are going through a rough stretch.
Knox was scoreless in seven minutes Sunday, while Robinson was scoreless in 13 minutes.
Knox picked up two fouls and Robinson picked up two.
Knox had a solid showing against the Celtics with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, but he's had a tougher time the last two games.
Robinson, who fouled out against the Pelicans after just nine minutes, has also been struggling to stay on the court.
Anything they go through at this point shouldn't be a concern. Knox is 19 years old and is learning the NBA, while Robinson didn't even play competitive basketball last year.
They're going to go through ups and downs. It's a matter of how they respond and improve over the course of the season.
5. Another DNP for Damyean Dotson
Dotson has now sat the last four games after playing pretty well through his first 15 contests.
He is averaging 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from the perimeter.
The second-year wing's production had dipped recently, though. Dotson was averaging 4.5 points and was just 1-of-5 from three-point range in the last four games he played.
But Dotson is still a solid defensive player at a time when the Knicks needed to improve their defense.
Fizdale has said that no player is ever out of his sight, but it has been surprising that Dotson hasn't played four straight games, especially since Mario Hezonja has been struggling.
BIG WIN: David Fizdale gets redemption as New York Knicks beat Grizzlies in his return to Memphis
GETTING CLOSE: New York Knicks' Courtney Lee clears big step toward return
IN THE PAST: As New York Knicks' David Fizdale returns to Memphis, Marc Gasol leaves rift in the past
Email: iseman@northjersey.com