J.R. Smith is taking the blame for the New York Knicks' 3-1 series deficit to the Indiana Pacers. Smith told ESPN after the team's 93-82 loss on Tuesday that his poor shooting throughout the series is the biggest reason why New York finds themselves in a 3-1 hole.
"I take the blame for this whole series," Smith said after shooting 7-for-22 in the Knicks' Game 4 loss. "It started off with Game 4 in Boston or Game 5. I haven't been playing myself. I haven't been playing my part. I've been letting my teammates down. I've been letting my coaches down."
Smith has struggled against the Pacers, shooting just 18-for-64 in the series (28 percent). "I have to play more efficient," Smith said. "... It's unacceptable."
To his credit, Smith has played through an illness that resulted in a 102-degree fever on Saturday. But he did not use that as an excuse for his poor play.
"I don't make excuses," he said. "I got to be able to step up and do what I do."
Smith has played the role of a secondary scoring option to Carmelo Anthony all season, but has been shaky for most of the postseason. In nine games, Smith is averaging 14.3 points per game on 33.6 percent shooting.
He has made just 15 of his 53 3-point attempts (28 percent). His struggles seem to have started after his Game 4 suspension in the Knicks previous series for elbowing Boston's Jason Terry in the face during Game 3.
"I haven't shot the ball well since," Smith said.
Since the suspension, Smith is shooting 39-for-91 (28.5 percent) from the field. He has missed 27 of his 37 attempts from the 3-point area.
The Knicks are 2-4 in those games. Prior to the suspension, Smith was averaging 16 points on 43 percent shooting in three games. The Knicks had won all three of those games.
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