N.Y. Knicks: RJ Barrett Marches Through New Orleans

From the desk: KICKIN' CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WIT' JIMMY

SATURDAY

Knicks        123

PELICANS  117

FINAL

RJ Barrett Scores Career-High 35 Points

Last season the Knicks ranked twelfth in conference scoring with 107 points per game.  With two key off-season acquisitions and newfound consistency from beyond the arc, they've not only alleviated some of the scoring burdens off the shoulders of Julius Randle, but they're presently averaging 117 points through the first six games of this still-young season.

• Defensively, the Knicks last season allowed 104.7 ppg; through six games, that number presently sits at 109.8 ppg.

RJ Barrett, drafted by the Knicks with the third overall pick of the 2019 draft, is slowly but surely becoming a star under Tom Thibodeau.  It's not absurd to imagine Thibodeau building a relationship with Barrett similar to the one he enjoyed in Chicago (and still enjoys) with Derrick Rose.

Entering his third season, the 21-year old led the Knicks at New Orleans with a career-high 35 points, including 6/8 from three, and a team-high eight rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.  Barrett scored 25 points in the second half, of which 16 came in the fourth quarter.  Saturday marked his second consecutive 20+ point game.

Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker finished with 19 points each.  With RJ Barrett, the three joined in shooting 15/23 (65.2%) from beyond the arc for 45 points.  As the only three with double-digit attempts, they collectively shot 24/43 (55.8%) from the field for 73 of the Knicks' 123 total points.

Julius Randle was 4/9 from the field for ten points with six rebounds and four assists in a game-high 38 minutes.  It's the first time he has attempted less than ten field goals this season and the fourth consecutive game of decreased shot attempts.  After 24 attempts against the Magic, he has since tried 18, 11, and nine shots, respectively.

The Knicks were minus-five in rebounds and minus-eight in assists.  But despite eleven more field goal attempts by the Pelicans, the Knicks finished 19/33 (57.6%) from three-point range to compensate for their 81 possessions.

Taj Gibson scored 13 points in 21 minutes, and Alec Burks added ten in 13 minutes off the bench.

With their fifth win in six games, the Knicks join a crowded mountain top with the Wizards, Bulls, and Heat.  They have already chalked up victories against Washington and Chicago but have yet to play Miami.