DALLAS — Mike Woodson found someone to share the blame in the J.R. Smith 3-point fiasco in Houston on Friday — point guard Beno Udrih.
At the Sunday morning shootaround at American Airlines Center, before the Knicks clung on to a 92-80 win over the Mavericks, Woodson pointed out the starting point guard by default could have held onto the ball instead of giving a quick pass to an open Smith, who proceeded to launch a 3-point shot with 20 seconds left and the shot clock off.
The Knicks coach felt Udrih could have pulled the ball back and reset the offense.
“The shot [Smith] took was wide open,’’ Woodson said Sunday. “The bottom line is you look at his shot: Did Beno have to throw him the ball? When you’re winning and losing games, there’s a fine line between winning.’’
Later in the day, Woodson apparently took offense to reporters writing he had blamed Udrih and attempted to clarify he wasn’t blaming him. Woodson may be sensitive because Udrih previously made comments he was frustrated with some recent criticism. It was unclear if Udrih was talking about fan and media criticism or from the coach.
“I want to clear up something,’’ Woodson said unsolicited. “The Beno thing, everybody is held accountable. I wouldn’t point the finger at Beno for anything. When you’re trying to win games coming down the stretch, everybody has to be held accountable on what they do. He had the ball. He probably should’ve held the ball. That’s just the nature of winning basketball games.’’
For his part, Udrih appears to hold up his hands after his shovel pass to Smith, but Smith didn’t see that.
For his part, Smith’s alibi was he thought the Knicks were down two, not tied. Woodson was asked his reaction to Smith claiming he didn’t know the score.
“I’ve been around this a long time,’’ Woodson said. ‘You think you’ve seen it all, then something creeps in. You shake your head and say, “Wow.” It happens. … No matter what level it is. Unfortunately he went blank. What are you going to do? You can’t go back and get it.’’
It wasn’t a good 25 seconds for Udrih, who missed the 3-pointer that allowed Tyson Chandler to get the offensive rebound and feed Udrih. On the final possession, Udrih took the final shot, a buzzer-beating leaner in the lane that went in and out.
The Knicks were 1-of-7 in the final 2:05.
“They were all good looks, J.R.’s shot was a good look,’’ Woodson said.