Every weekday (in this case, weekend) throughout the season, ESPNNewYork.com tackled a burning question about the Knicks in our "Opening Tip" segment. Today's Burning Question: Will the Carmelo Anthony-led Knicks eventually win an NBA title?
The Knicks dropped Game 6, ending their season. How would you sum the loss up in just a few words? Let us know here by creating your own Knicks "Back Page" and sharing them with your friends. You can also vote for your favorite entries.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Amar'e Stoudemire said it was "tough" to sit on the bench in the second half of the Knicks' season-ending loss to the Pacers. "It's never easy to sit there and watch. But again, it's Coach's decision," Stoudemire said after playing 5:47 -- all in the first half -- and scoring two points in Game 6 on Saturday night.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Guard J.R. Smith is set to become a free agent this offseason but said he hopes to return to the New York Knicks. "I want to retire a Knick," Smith said when asked about his future following the team's season-ending loss to the Pacers on Saturday night.
INDIANAPOLIS -- After his third season in New York ended far short of expectations, Carmelo Anthony sat at his stall alone in a cramped visitors locker room in Indiana, thinking about what just transpired.
WHAT IT MEANS: All season, the Knicks and their fans hoped for a chance to face the Miami Heat in the playoffs. Now, the only thing the Knicks will be doing in Miami next week is vacationing. Carmelo Anthony finished with 39 points but went just 2-for-7 in the fourth quarter with three turnovers as the Knicks were outscored 25-18 in the final quarter to fall 106-99 in Game 6 on Saturday night.
Win tonight, and the Knicks go home for Game 7. Lose, and their season is over. They trail at the half of Game 6, 55-47. Here are a few observations from the first half: CAN'T KEEP THEIR COOL: The Knicks seem to be getting unnerved early in this game.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers said point guard George Hill has been cleared to play in Game 6 against the Knicks. George Hill#3 PGIndiana Pacers 2013 STATS GM76 PPG14.2 RPG3.7 APG4.7 FG%.
As one veteran NBA scout put it, the Knicks brought a "different intensity level" to their Game 5 victory. It all started on defense in the first quarter when Tyson Chandler and Pablo Prigioni's defense led to early offense.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Mike Woodson will go with a small-ball starting lineup in Game 6 -- the same lineup that he has played for most of the season. Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni will start in the backcourt alongside Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler.
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