Knicks Are Imploding Right Now and the Celtics Are 2.5 Games Away From Sealing the No. 2 Seed

The New York Knicks are in full panic mode. After dropping their fifth straight loss to a winning team on Tuesday against Houston, New York sits at 48-28 and is running out of runway to catch the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. With only six games left to play, the Knicks are 2.5 games back. Even worse? They're only one game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers lurking in fourth place.

This is bad. The Knicks went on a seven-game win streak, then immediately followed it up by losing three straight. That's the kind of momentum killer that can tank a playoff seeding in April, and everyone in New York knows it.

Mike Brown's Backup Point Guard Decision Could Define the Stretch Run

With the playoffs looming, Knicks coach Mike Brown is making a statement about who he trusts when the games matter. He's going with Jose Alvarado as the backup point guard over Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek. Alvarado showed why in the 111-94 loss to Houston, dropping 12 points in just 12 minutes off the bench. Brown made his position crystal clear: "I'm going with Jose and Tyler's got to stay ready like everybody else. His number can be called at any time. And if his number is called, he's got to go out there and help us win."

It's a vote of confidence in Alvarado as New York tries to stop the bleeding.

Memphis Is Basically Playing Pickup Ball and Somehow Stayed Competitive

The Grizzlies are absolutely decimated by injuries. In Monday's 131-105 loss to Phoenix, guard Jahmai Mashack played a career-high 37 minutes because Memphis literally doesn't have anyone else available. The roster is so thin that Memphis has cycled through 41 different starting lineups this season. Only 11 Grizzlies players have logged 35 or more minutes in a single game all year.

Coach Tuomas Iisalo threw Mashack at Devin Booker, hoping the versatility would help. Booker still went off for 36 points in three quarters. The Grizzlies actually hung around for three quarters before Phoenix absolutely torched them in the fourth, outscoring Memphis 40-16. Turnovers killed the Grizzlies, who are basically playing with a roster full of G-League players and guys on 10-day contracts.

"Yeah, we turned it over a lot," Iisalo said. "We turned it over three times in the first 2:30 (of the final period) and gave up lots of offensive rebounds and transition baskets. It's very difficult to win (that way)."

New York heads to Memphis on Wednesday desperately needing a win. The Knicks can't afford another slip-up if they want to hold onto that No. 2 seed.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.