NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Knicks have been playing much better basketball recently. New York has won six of their last eight games, and the Knicks have scored 100+ more points in five of their last eight games. The players are trusting the triangle offense, and it has translated to a much more productive scoring output on a nightly basis. With the Knicks clicking as a team, it has brought them to a 19-20 record coming into Tuesday night’s contest against the Boston Celtics. At the 39 game mark last year, the Knicks had a pathetic 5-34 record.
The first quarter was all Kristaps Porzingis, as he electrified the Garden faithful. Porzingis had 16 points in the first quarter alone. This showing was one point shy of tying Carmelo Anthony‘s record for most points in a quarter this season (17 points, Nov. 10th @ Toronto Raptors). New York as a team, came out hot right after the tip-off. The Knicks outscored Boston 36-27 in the first quarter, and shot 66% from the field.
Anthony was very effective during the first quarter also. The Knicks really have been at their best when Anthony is looking for the open man, and not taking forced/contested shots. In the first quarter, Anthony tallied 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The game changed when Anthony left the game with 1:16 left in the 2nd quarter. Anthony apparently stepped on an official’s foot and turned his ankle. The injury was severe enough to keep Anthony out for the remainder of the game. His status for Wednesday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets is unknown; however, the Knicks have played without Anthony a couple times this season already.
New York did an excellent job of playing together, and showed a strong will to win this game. In many times over the past couple seasons, when things got tough the Knicks would fold. Tuesday night, the Knicks fought adversity and found a way to win. The Knicks scrapped and clawed for every loose ball. Two points in the game (10:44 mark & 4:00 mark in the 4th quarter) New York came up with loose balls after a frantic scrum. This is the most encouraging thing for this team moving forward. The Knicks showed that they are going to play hard, and have adapted this as their identity.
The Knicks were able to hold off Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics for a 120-114 win in the Garden. This snapped a four game losing streak against Boston, including two straight against the Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Thomas finished with 34 points and eight assists, and hurt the Knicks with his penetration. Any time New York has faced a speedy athletic guard, they have struggled with perimeter defense.
Jerian Grant did a great job in his 23 minutes off the bench. Grant finished the game with 16 points and eight assists. He gave the Knicks a great lift, and played good defense on Thomas towards the end of the game.
Aaron Afflalo played a tremendous game, filling in as the Knicks go-to scorer when Anthony exited. Afflalo tallied 24 points and three rebounds, and has now scored in double figures in four of the last six games.
New York now holds a 20-20 record, and is one game out of the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Orlando Magic. The Knicks will go to Brooklyn to face their cross-town rivals Wednesday night.
Stats of the Game:
- Porzingis finished with 26 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots. However, he fouled out for the first time this season.
- Robin Lopez tallied 15 points and five rebounds. In the month of January, Lopez is averaging 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
- The Knicks are now 3-0 versus Atlantic Division opponents at MSG.
- The Knicks are now 3-0 wearing the “Hardwood Classics” or “Alternate” uniform.
- New York is now 15-2 when they score 100 or more points.
Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732
(Featured Image Credit: Dionisio Corsetti)