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: Game Three Exposed Coach Thibodeau's Dilemma at the Point

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

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

GAME FOUR
Knicks

vs.

Celtics

A Rose By Any Other Role Is Still Not a Rose

And herein, we see Coach Thibodeau's dilemma...

If you start Derrick Rose, the bench has no real sustenance.  With Rose in the starting role, the bench contributed 40 points (or 42.5% of the Knicks scoring).  Nerlens Noel led a four-man effort with twelve points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.  Alec Burks led with 23 minutes.  Otherwise, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickly contributed four points each in 13 and 15 minutes, respectively.

Derrick Rose led the floor with a game-high 30 points and five assists and tied for game-high with 39 minutes.  That's not optimal utilization of Derrick Rose.  He led all players with a minus-16, which is contrary to when he plays off the bench and usually leads the team in plus/minus.  This being said, Elfrid Payton did not play.  Coach Thibodeau would love it if Elfrid Payton of Dec-Feb can find his way back onto the floor.  Game Three proved beyond a doubt the Knicks need this.

In his first post-season, Julius Randle continues to struggle.  After averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and a league-high 37.6 minutes during the regular season, Julius averaged just 14.6 points in 35.6 minutes through three games against the Hawks.

The Knicks lost by eleven and were held under 100 points for the first time since their May 11th overtime loss against the Lakers.  RJ Barrett is averaging just 13.6 points per game, and in Game Three was limited to just seven points.  In May, Barrett eclipsed twenty points in a game four times while averaging 17.1 points over the final nine regular-season games.

Scoring just 13 points and getting outscored by 16 points in the second quarter proved devastating.  The difference in the final score speaks for itself.  Atlanta also penetrated and exposed the Knicks' interior, outscoring New York 44-30 in the paint.

There's an argument that the Knicks could and should be up 2-1 in this series.  Game Four will go a long way towards supporting that theory or not.

N.Y. Knicks: Another Strong Second Half Effort This Time Secures Victory in Game Two

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

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

Game Two

Hawks    92

KNICKS  101

FINAL

Second Half Defense Grounds Hawks

We saw this before: the Knicks get off to another slow start.  Although, I was in the car at the time listening to the radio.  

In the first quarter of game one, they were outscored by eight; Wednesday, they get outscored in the first, this time by seven.  But whereas the Knicks trailed by two at the half of game one, this time they walk off to the locker room down by a concerning 13 points.  

I'm sure Tom Thibodeau had a few choice words for his squad.  Because in the second half, the Knicks held Atlanta to 18 points in the third quarter and just 17 points in the fourth, or said another way, just 35 points in the second half.  Meanwhile, the Knicks score 32 points in a big third quarter and followed up with 25 points in the final session en route to a 57-35 second-half advantage and a much-needed nine-point margin of victory. 

Nerlens Noel was back on the floor and helped the Knicks outrebound the Hawks by a handsome 54-41 difference.  The Knicks also outscored Atlanta 42-28 in the paint.

Trae Young again leads the floor with 30 points in 35 minutes.  Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the two you would expect, led all shooters with 20 and 21 attempts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau once again throws some crumbs Elfrid Payton's way; five minutes.  While that's still worth pondering, Derrick Rose clocks in with a team-high 39 minutes off the bench, in which he leads the Knicks with both 21 shot attempts and 26 points.  This is also to say Julius Randle did not lead the Knicks in attempts as is his custom.  Lest we forget, one has playoffs experience, and the other does not.  Overall, the bench contributes 55 points thus accounting for 54.4% of the Knicks scoring.  Obi Toppin was both effective and opportunistic, with eight points in twelve minutes.

Julius Randle was an improved performer over game one.  His game numbers betray him.  Let's call him clutch, then.  Randle finishes with 15 points and twelve rebounds in 35 minutes.  His drive the lane floater with 1:13 left in the fourth put the Knicks safely ahead by a 100-91 margin.  

Reggie Bullock added 14 points, and RJ Barrett chipped in with 13 points in 26 minutes.  Alec Burks' scoring line also betrays him, eleven points in 30 minutes, but unlike the Hawks, he provided an extra measure of scoring depth off the bench.

Despite another precarious start, the Knicks finish strong again.  The challenge now is to get the first quarter under control because they've demonstrated in two consecutive games against the Hawks they come on strong in the second half.

N.Y. Knicks: Back to Par With Blowout Over Pistons

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

SATURDAY

Knicks 125

Piston  81

FINAL

The Bockers' Largest Margin of Victory in Twenty-Four Years

Take about handling teams you're supposed to beat ...

The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and, more importantly, get themselves back to .500 with an overwhelming 44 point victory over the Detroit Pistons.

They caused 15 turnovers, including 12 steals and eleven blocks.  In turn, the Knicks outscored Detroit 16-7 on fast breakpoints, posted a plus-eleven in assists, and shot 19/39 (48.7%) from behind the arc.  The Pistons, who had just three players score in double-digits, were led by Jerami Grant with only 16 points.

Julius Randle turned his game around, leading the floor with 29 points in 30 minutes, and secured a team-high eight rebounds.  Reggie Bullock was next in with 6/10 from behind the arc en route to a 22 point game in 28 minutes.  Elfrid Payton scored eleven points and distributed a game-high nine assists.

Off the bench, Obi Toppin was 3/8 from the field for eight points in an extended 16 minutes, and Taj Gibson was a perfect 5/5 from the field and 1/1 from the line for eleven points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.  Immanuel Quickley added twelve points in 18 minutes - his most minutes in his last twelve games.

Team Thibodeau maintains their seventh standing by a half-game over the Celtics and two full games over the ninth-place Pacers.

On Monday, the Knicks and Nets square off at Barclays Center.

N.Y. Knicks Will Themselves to Winning Record at the Break

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

ALL-STAR BREAK

19-18 (.513)

5th Eastern Conference

Can't be disappointed with what you do not expect.  That's what makes Knickerbockers first-half so thrilling. 

There's no begrudging the Knicks for defeating the woeful Detroit Pistons.  What they have accomplished this first-half of the season is nothing short of impressive.  Coach Thibodeau's drive, tenacious defense, improved shooting, and overall team ball have all resulted in a stunning 19-18 record.

Thursday's game was another recent instance of the Knicks feeling the Midas touch, shooting 54.2% from the field versus 48.8% for the Pistons.  They otherwise dominated the boards and outscored Detroit 66-38 in the paint.

All-Star and MVP candidate Julius Randle leads the floor with a game-high 27 points, 16 rebounds (seven assists), and 42 minutes.  All five starters scored in double-digit.  Continuing to play monster minutes, Nerlens Noel also posts a double-double with 12 points and eleven rebounds in likewise 42 minutes.  RJ Barrett was second on the team with 21 points on 9/13 and 2/2 from the line.  Elfrid Payton's 20 points gave the Knicks three players with at least 20 points in a return to action.

Frank Ntilikina was a perfect 3/3 from behind the arc for nine points in 13 minutes off the bench.  Immanuel Quickley was 0/4 from three-range in 13 minutes, while Obi Toppin scored just four points in twelve minutes.

The Knicks own a respectable 7-12 record against each conference's current top teams and a 12-6 against all others, including an 11-7 record at home.  The NBA's stingiest defense yields almost two full points less per game than the Lakers.  However, they enter the midway break tied with Cleveland for the least points scored per game.

N.Y. Knicks: Bockers Motor Through Detroit Pistons

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

SUNDAY

Knicks  109

Pistons  90

FINAL

Knicks Win Third Straight; Improve to Game Over Par

Break up the Knicks, who won their third in a row, and the fourth in their last five games to climb one game over .500 for the first time since Jan. 8 when they owned a 5-4 record.

Once again Julius Randle leads the floor with 25 points on 10/18 from the floor and 2/3 from the line and a game-high six assists.  He finished with a game-high plus-21, six assists, and eight rebounds.  Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 21 points in 31 minutes but got canceled out by RJ Barrett's 21 points on 8/13 from the field and 3/3 from the line in 35 minutes.  Making yet another start, Derrick Rose was 6/14 from the field including 2/3 from behind the arc for 14 points with five assists.

Nerlens Noel continues playing big minutes, clocking in a game-high 40 minutes with eight points and a game-high eleven rebounds.

Alec Burks led the bench effort with 16 points and three assists in 26 minutes, and Immanuel Quickley was 4/9 from the field and 3/3 from the line for twelve points in 16 minutes.  Obi Toppin was afforded 19 minutes but only added four points and four rebounds.

Sunday marks the 13th time this season the Knicks have limited their opponent to 100 points or less.  The Knicks remain the stingiest team in the league, limiting opponents to just 104.4 points per game entering Sunday's action.

Their shooting continues improving as well.  Against Detroit, they shot 51.2% from the field and 50% from three.  Against the Pacers, the Knicks shot 49.4% and a likewise 50% from three.  Before that, they shot 58.6% against the Kings ad 52.8% from behind the arc.  

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: No Assistance Needed For The Stingy

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

MLK DAY at MSG

Magic     84

Knicks    91

FINAL

The New York Thibs remain among the top two stingiest teams in the league.  To date, they have yielded an average of 102.7 points through fifteen games.  Monday afternoon against the Orlando Magic marks the fifth time this season the Knicks held an opponent to 100 points or less.  On back-to-back nights they held the Celtics to just 75 points at Boston and then limited the Magic to 84 points on MLK Day at the Garden. 

Speaking of a back-to-back, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett both register double-doubles in each game.  Against the Celtics, Barrett goes for 19 points and 11 rebounds in a curtailed 29 minutes, then on Monday against Orlando scores 22 points with ten rebounds in 38 minutes.  It was Barrett's third double-double of the season.  Randle scored 20 points and secured 12 defensive rebounds against the Celtics then scored 21 with 17 rebounds against the Magic.

However, the worst scoring team in the NBA still is numb to the touch.  The Knicks were just 31/87 (35.6%) from the floor including 5/27 (18.5%) from afar and missed ten free throws (24/34) to boot.  The Knicks also registered a season-low 15 assists.

Rookie Obi Toppin saw nine minutes against Orlando, going 1/3 from the floor and 0/2 from the arc.  In 17 minutes against the Celtics, Toppin scored 12 points with five defensive rebounds.