The Knicks are now down 3-1 heading home, after a nuclear third quarter by the Hawks once again put the game away early.

One paragraph to describe the game

Things stayed pretty close through the first half, but the Hawks caught fire in the third quarter and the game was basically over minutes into the fourth. The Knicks are down 3-1 heading home, and the series is probably over unless they can make a hard 180 on strategy and effort.

Game ball

Taj Gibson: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block

Taj was basically the only guy that gave a shit the entire game, and he once again played his ass off even if he doesn’t really jump off the box score. The Knicks owed a lot of the fact that they were in this game in the first half to Taj’s hustle and intensity on both ends.

Big stat

35-22. The score of yet another crucial third quarter squandered by the Knicks.

Unsung hero

Obi Toppin: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 5-8 shooting

Haven’t had to switch gears into “what are some positives in the latest blowout?” mode in a while, but Obi’s been really good this series and it bodes well for his future.