N.Y. Knicks: Charged Up Garden Revels in Opening Night O.T. Victory Over Celtics

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

WEDNESDAY

CELTICS   134

KNICKS    138

FINAL/OT

Knicks Hustle "Four" Love of the Game

The new-look Knicks won their home opener before an uproarious Wednesday night crowd at Madison Square Garden.  This wasn't the Larry Bird Celtics, but the intensity in the building was no less palpable.

Boston's Jaylen Brown dropped a game-high 46 points, and Jayson Tatum scored another 20 points.  However, Julius Randle poured in a team-high 36 points, and newcomer Evan Fournier finished with 32 points, edge Knicks.

After being limited to 31 games last season, Mitchell Robinson tipped the scales with eleven points and a game-high 17 rebounds.  R.J. Barrett was third in with 19 points, and rounding out the starting lineup, fellow newcomer Kemba Walker scored ten points with three assists and eight rebounds in 36 minutes.

Coach Thibodeau's bench outscored Boston's by a 31-22 margin, with Obi Toppin leading the charge with 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.

The Knicks trailed by four at the half, then seized an 86-82 lead after three.  But Boston wiped that out with 34 points in the fourth quarter.  The Bockers then edged out the Celtics 22-18 in overtime to complete an ongoing 138-134 four-point shuffle.

N.Y. Knicks: Down Goes Mitchell Robinson

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

MONDAY

HEAT

vs.

KNICKS

FROM

EIGHTH AVENUE GYM

THE HEAT IS BACK ON NERLENS NOEL

With Saturday's victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knickerbockers have now won three straight games for the fifth time this season.  Can they finally breakthrough with a fourth consecutive victory when they play the Miami Heat Monday night at the Garden?  

Miami enters Sunday's action eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 24-22 record.  The Knicks record is just the opposite.  In fact, they are now two games over .500 for the first and only time since Jan. 6, when they improved to 5-3 with a surprise twelve-point victory over the Jazz.  They're 6-4 in their last ten and are one of six Eastern Conference teams with a plus point differential.  The number four Charlotte Hornets and the Heat cannot say the same.

Just as Derrick Rose returned to the lineup after a bout with COVID, the Knicks will again be going forth minus the services of center Mitchell Robinson, who recently returned from surgery for a fractured hand.  He is a formidable presence in Coach Thibodeau's defense.  Midway through the first quarter of Saturday's game against the Bucks, on a play in which he caused a Milwaukee turnover,  Mitchell Robinson suffered a bad landing and hobbled off the court with a potential fracture/break of his right foot.

Having to deal with Brook Lopez and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Nerlens Noel was called upon again to pick up the slack.  He scored six points, but more importantly, secured a game-high eleven rebounds (five offensive), with three blocks and two steals in 31 minutes.

Also playing minus all-star Julius Randle, the Knicks held Milwaukee under 100 points en route to a four-point road victory.  Alec Burks and RJ Barrett each scored 21 points apiece.  Burks led the team with a plus-13 in 41 minutes.  Barrett led with seven assists.  Immanuel Quickley scored 13 points in 26 minutes off the bench.

N.Y. Knicks: Julius Randle Part of NBA's Magnificent Seven

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

22-22 (.500)

Sixth Place

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Coach Thibs and the Time Bandits Turn Last Season Into a Distant Memory

Recent losses against the Sixers and Nets were just as meaningful as any of the Knicks' twenty-two victories to date.  That's how lively and competitive they've played under Coach Thibs.  

If you bet the over on the season's projected win total, then this is hitting the jackpot.  Lest we forget the Knicks last season finished with a 21-45 (.318) record.  On Tuesday, they achieved win number 22 of the season with 28 games still to play.  Defense is clearly leading the way.  The Knicks are the NBA's third stingiest team averaging 105.3 points allowed per game.  However, they also own a +0.3 point differential, which at this moment cannot be said of two other top-eight Eastern Conference teams.

After a quiet return to action on Sunday, Mitchell Robinson was 7/9 from the floor and 2/2 from the line for 16 points in 31 minutes off the bench.  He tied for a game-high twelve rebounds and blocked three shots.  I suspect he and Nerlens Noel will switch roles shortly.  

Alec Burks was 6/12 from the field and a perfect 6/6 from the line for 20 points in 29 minutes and Immanuel Quickley scored 14 points in a brief albeit efficient twelve minutes, both also off the bench.

Timing well with Mitch Robinson's return, Elfrid Payton was also back in action.  He slashed for seven points, five rebounds, four assists, with three steals and a plus-twelve in 21 minutes.  

Meanwhile, Derrick Rose remains out under COVID protocol - nine games and counting.

Otherwise, Coach Thibodeau in customary fashion made his starters earn their pay.  Julius Randle led the floor with 37 points on 13/24 from the field, 7/10 from behind the arc, and 4/5 from the line.  RJ Barrett was next in with 21 points and a team-high five assists in 39 minutes. 

Julius Randle is averaging 37.1 minutes per game, second only behind Brooklyn's James Harden who clocks in with a league-high 38.0 minutes per game.  Of the league's top thirty scorers, Julius Randle ranks #27 with 23.3 points per game but is one of only seven players in the top thirty averaging a double-double.  The other six are Joel Embiid, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Nikola Vucevic, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

It is said people are largely a product of the people they surround themselves with.  

Julius is keeping good company.

N.Y. Knicks: Team Thibs Throttle Up Rockets at The Garden

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

Seventh in Eastern Conference

SATURDAY

Rockets     99

Knicks     121

FINAL

Extreme Team was at it again.  On Saturday, the stingiest team in the league limited the Rockets to under 100 points, marking the ninth time in 28 games they've held their opponents to the century mark or less.  

With a 22 point victory over visiting Houston, the NBA's most scoring challenged team is also back to being just two games under par.  The Knicks last touched .500 back on Jan. 21 with a win over Golden State to even out with an 8-8 record.

The Knicks had the Midas touch on this night, shooting 45/86 (52.3%) from the field, including 12/28 (42.9%) from behind the arc.  Despite getting slightly outrebounded, they outscored Houston 60-44 in the paint.

Ten other Hoston Rockets could not match the production put forth by John Wall and Eric Gordon.  Both joined to lead the floor in points with 26 points and 24 points, respectively.  Three other starters and seven players off the bench capped out 49 total points.

With Mitchell Robinson out with a hand fracture, Nerlens Noel was a serviceable 5/6 from the floor for ten points with six rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes.  Julius Randle once again led the Knicks with 22 points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes, and Elfrid Payton was 7/11 for 15 points in 22 minutes.   

Rookie Emmanuel Quickley exceeds twenty points for the fifth time this season and the first time in February.  He matches Julius Randle with 22 points on 7/9 from the floor and 4/4 from the line in just 21 minutes off the bench.  Fellow rookie Obi Toppin scored in double-digits for only the second time this season, posting eleven points in fifteen minutes.  Meanwhile, Coach Thibs has the reinforcement he's needed.  In his third game with the Knicks, Derrick Rose scores 16 points by drawing fouls and shooting 5/11 from the field in 23 minutes also off the bench.

N.Y. Knicks: California Dreamin'

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

LEFT COAST SWING

THURSDAY

Knicks   119

Warriors 104

FINAL

A fifteen point victory over the Golden State Warriors ... be honest, considering their early schedule, who out there thought the Knicks would start the season win eight wins in their first sixteen games?

Not many, myself included.

The New York Thibs do it again.  A long flight to the Left Coast and playing the front end of back-to-back games means a long bench.  Coach Thibodeau went five deep, with all receiving at least eleven minutes.  Alec Burks led the effort with eleven points and five rebounds in 31 minutes.  Nerlens Noel adds six points, eleven rebounds, and four blocks.  Rookie Obi Toppin squeezed in five points in twelve minutes.

RJ Barrett scores a career-high 28 points on 10/17 from the field, including 2/3 from the arc in a team-high 37 minutes.  Julius Randle drops 16 points, distributes a game-high nine assists, and secures a game-high 17 rebounds in 36 minutes.  Mitchell Robinson was second on the team with 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Knicks outrebounded the Warriors by a 55-48 margin and shot an improved 46.3% from the field, including 45.8% from three.

Stephen Curry led the floor with 30 points.

Coach Thib's number one rated defense is at least three points better than the second-place Los Angeles Lakers.

FRIDAY

Knicks   94

Kings   103

FINAL

 

The Knicks defense stays true, but their scoring touch fails them yet again.  Sacramento pulls away down the stretch.  The Knicks were plus-three in total attempts but only convert on 36/94 shots for 38.3% percent from the field.  Mitchell Robinson scores twelve and grabs ten rebounds.  Julius Randle leads the floor with 26 points and 14 rebounds.   The Knicks continue leading the league with the fewest points scored per game yet still lead the league in allowing the fewest points on defense by a 3.6 margin better than the Lakers.  The bench shot just 11/37 (29.7%) from the field for 28 points in 87 minutes.  That just will not do.

N.Y. Knicks: Utah Jazz Happy To Get Out of Town

From the desk: KICKIN' CAN UP 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

JAZZ        100

KNICKS   110

FINAL

JAZZ GET DISTORTED IN SOUNDS OF NEW YORK CITY

A night after being tenderized and marinated by the Nets in Brooklyn, the Knicks put the Jazz to the grill with a ten-point margin of victory at Madison Square Garden.

 

The Knicks through eight games have now faced five of last season's playoff contenders and achieved victory in three, making them 5-3 in this very young season. 

They're presently the NBA's sixth stingiest team, yielding 105.1 points per game.  Wednesday against the Jazz marks the third time in eight games they've held their opponent to 100 points or less.  In fact, their opponent's collective 43.3% field goal average ranks third-worst in the league.  Which is to say, Coach Thibodeau has his guys contesting everything.

In Tom Thibodeau's economy, the currency of effort continues earning minutes.  He again sticks with a tight eight-man rotation, but his starters averaged 37.2 minutes, their second-highest mark through eight games.  Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Elfrid Payton each put in at least forty minutes.  Look no further than the Knicks twelve-point deficit at halftime.  The Knicks pressed by Thibodeau not only overcome their double-digit deficit but go on to snatch away victory by double-digits.  Austin Rivers leads the bench effort shooting 9/14, including 5/7 from the arc for 23 points in 32 minutes.

Despite shooting 0/5 from long range, Julius Randle was 10/26 from the field and 10/12 from the line for a game-high thirty points as well as a game-high 16 rebounds with seven assists to boot.  The Knicks continue getting price worthy performances from him.

N.Y. Knicks: Coach Thibodeau's Time Bandits

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

KNICKS STARTERS 

AVERAGING 33 MINUTES PER GAME

🏀      🕰      🏀

Coach Thibodeau Time Stamping Team Effort at the Door

Six games into the season, the Knicks perhaps have already won two more contests than many anticipated.  First and foremost was their bedazzling twenty-point victory over Milwaukee.  They promptly followed up with a nine-point victory at Cleveland, and then Saturday's defensively contested win at Indiana.  A defeat at the hands of Toronto makes them 3-1 in their last four games.

The Knicks, on average, have thus far allowed 104.7 points per game, ranking them fifth-best in the league.

Hello Coach Tom Thibodeau!

If you're a starter for the Knicks, Coach is taking away the minutes that make up a dull day in an old-fashioned way (... Pink Floyd).  Said another way, he makes you work hard, and it appears as if he has the full attention of his largely young and impressionable personnel.

I'll make opening night a stand-alone game, only because it was the first game, and no one really knew what to expect - not from Thibodeau, but from this roster.  However, six games in, we have a trend to speak of.  

During game one against Indiana, seven different players registered at least twenty minutes; the starters clocked in an average of 27.6 minutes.  After the first game, what's there to say..?

During game two versus PHILA, six different players played at least twenty minutes; the starters averaged 28.4 minutes.  However, whereas Elfrid Payton started, he only played eighteen minutes.  Carrying the load off the bench were Kevin Knox II with 29 minutes and Alec Burks with 31 minutes.

Coach Thibodeau switched up and started Reggie Bullock against Milwaukee but limited him to seventeen minutes.  Similarly, six different players partake in at least twenty minutes, with two coming off the bench; Knox registered 26 minutes and Burks 21 minutes.  The five starters this time average 31.2 minutes.

Thibodeau revved things up in their victory at Cleveland, playing his five starters an average of 38.4 minutes without a single bench player achieving twenty minutes.  Coach stuck with a tight eight-man rotation with Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Nerlens Noel, receiving sixteen minutes each.

Coach then eased up on the gas pedal against Toronto.  Seven players got at least twenty minutes, but the starting five still averaged 32.2 minutes.

SATURDAY

KNICKS   106

PACERS   102

FINAL

Saturday in their return match against the Pacers, Coach stuck with a nine-man rotation.  Elfrid Payton started and scored 19 points with five assists in 34 effective minutes.  The starting five averaged 35 minutes, but center Mitchell Robinson just missed the mark with 29 minutes.  Otherwise, the four-man bench averaged 16 minutes.

Cycling back, I am omitting game one just because ...

Under Coach Thibodeau, Knicks' starters over the last five games average 33 minutes per game and play top tier defense.  They have now played Indiana twice.  Therefore, to date, four of the Knicks' five opponents last season all qualified for the playoffs, with the lone exception being Cleveland.

With another coach in place, this team is not playing .500 basketball.  Inclusive in Tom Thibodeau and Scott Perry's job descriptions are making the recent past (twenty years) a non-issue.  Thibodeau is already garnering results.  The onus now falls on general manager Scott Perry to procure for this coach some more complimentary talent by the March trade deadline.  Nothing crazy, just someone to help share the load.  That Thibodeau is a demanding dude.

• NEXT: @ Atlanta Hawks, Monday

N.Y. Knicks: Fans Make the Unicorn Feel Unwelcome in Garden Return

From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

THURSDAY

Mavericks   103

Knicks         106

FINAL

Too bad David Fizdale can't play the Mavericks every night.  What an exciting season that would be, as two of the Knicks three victories have come against Dallas, and just happen to be the two most entertaining games of their season to date.

The groundwork for Thursday night's thriller was laid last Friday at Dallas where the Knicks defeat Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavs in a 106-102 final.  Despite 28 points from Kristaps, the Mavericks were outdone by 29 points and nine rebounds from Marcus Morris; 21 points and eight rebounds from Julius Randle; and Bobby Portis' double-double off the bench with 14 points and a dozen boards.

In his first game back at Madison Square Garden since essentially instigating his own trade out out town, Porzingis is 7/17 from the floor and just 1/5 from beyond the arc.  He scores 20 points and secures 11 rebounds for the cosmetic double-double.

A raucous Garden crowd begins serenading Kristaps late in the third quarter with hymns of A$$H@L#...!  Later in the final minute of the quarter with the Knicks down by two Porzingis secures a rebound off a Luka Doncic miss, and emphatically dunks it tying the game at 87-87 with the clock showing 0:04 left in the third.  Kristaps then pauses and glances around as if to say who's the a$$h@l# now.

The Knicks dominate the boards by a 53-44 margin.  Marcus Morris again leads the Knicks with 20 points.  Julius Randle adds 17 points and ten rebounds.  Mitchell Robinson scores 16 points with eight rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench before fouling out.  Dennis Smith Jr. leads the Knicks with eight assists with 13 points also off the bench.

Brooklyn Cyclones Steamroll Staten Island Yankees

From the desks of:  

THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS  and  THE HYLAN BOULEVARD RATS

BATTLE of the BOROUGHS

GAME ONE

Brooklyn Cyclones      11

Staten Island Yankees  4

FINAL

Brooklyn wallops the Yankees at the Ballpark at St. George to square up their season series with Staten Island at three.

The surging Yankees waste no time putting Brooklyn at a disadvantage.  With two on and two outs in the bottom half of the first inning Staten Island third baseman Mitchell Robinson doubles to left field plating both runners.  First baseman Nelson B Alvarez then grounds to second baseman Luke Ritter who mishandles the opportunity permitting Robinson to score for a 3-0 Yankees lead.  In the third inning designated hitter Jacob Sanford strokes a one out double to right, then advances to third on a wild pitch.  Isaiah Pasteur's sac-fly to center scores Sanford putting Staten Island ahead by four.

Brooklyn starter Matt Cleveland lasts 4.2 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and two walks.  Andrew Edwards enters the game in relief of Cleveland.

The Cyclones finally break through for a run in the sixth.  Antoine Duplantis leads off with a single then scores on Jose Peroza's double to right.  Brooklyn explodes for another six runs in the seventh highlighted by a Luke Ritter RBI double, a two RBI double from Jose Peroza, and a three run home run from Joe Genord.  The sudden onslaught continues in the eighth.  Jose Peroza works out a bases loaded walk against Yankees reliever Wellington Diaz.  Joe Genord then clears the bases with a double to left.

Jose Peroza and Joe Genord account for ten of the Cyclones eleven runs batted in.

Andrew Edwards departs after 2.1 innings of scoreless no-hit baseball with two walks and three strikeouts.  Manager Alonzo hands off to Jared Biddy in the eighth whom obliges with another two scoreless innings of one hit ball with two strikeouts.  Edwards is awarded his second victory of the season to go along with a 2.42 ERA.

Yankees starter Anderson Munoz yields no runs on four hits and two walks through 3.2 innings but does not factor in the decision.  The bullpen however yields all eleven runs on nine hits and five walks with five strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched.  Marcus Evey is tagged with a blown save and the loss.

With Sunday's victory the Cyclones improve to 31-23 (.574) with only twenty games remaining in their regular season.  However Hudson Valley sweeps a double-header from the Lowell Spinners.  Therefore despite Sunday's victory the Cyclones close the weekend 2.5 games back of first place.

McNamara Division Standings through 8/11/2019:

• Hudson Valley   34-21; *
• Brooklyn            31-23; 2.0 GB
• Aberdeen           30-26; 4.5 GB
• Staten Island     29-26; 5.0 GB

Brooklyn leads the wild card race by two games over the West Virginia Black Bears and Aberdeen Ironbirds whom Sunday handily defeat the Lake Monsters in an 11-0 whitewashing at Vermont.  Staten Island trails the wild card standings by 2.5 games.