JR Smith Takes Blame for Knicks Losing to Pacers in Game 4

Following a deflating 93-82 Game 4 loss, the New York Knicks now trail 3-1 to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
According to JR Smith, he is to blame for the big hole his team finds itself in. Smith, coming off a putrid 7/22 shooting performance, says he has been letting the Knicks down since the previous series.

Per the NY Daily News:
“My frustration with myself is extremely high. I take the blame for this whole series,” Smith said after he shot 7-for-22 and finished with 19 points and two rebounds. “It started off in (Game 5) in Boston… I haven’t been playing (like) myself. I haven’t been playing my part. I’ve been letting my teammates down. I’ve been letting my coaches down. And it doesn’t feel good.”

Smith, who has played the past two games battling flu-like symptoms, hasn’t had one effective shooting night since he served a one-game suspension for elbowing Jason Terry in Game 3 of the first round against the Celtics. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year is now mired in a 26-for-91(28.6%) shooting slump over his last six games, including 10-for-37 (27%) from three-point range.

On Thursday night back at Madison Square Garden for Game 5, Smith and the Knicks will get a chance to redeem themselves and extend their season.