The New York Knicks increased their defensive intensity in the second half, and RJ Barrett went into God mode in the third quarter as the boys in orange and blue stretched their winning streak to seven games. They are now five games over 0.500. THE KNIKS!
New York played one of their worst defensive halves in the first, beating the Charlotte Hornets by 66 points and 13 tries. Their stars were on fire wrong, especially Barrett, who shot a miserable 1-8 in the first two quarters. The team was saved by rookie Immanuel Quickley, who scored 17 in the first half.
Yet they were six off, and you know Tom Thibodeau crushed them at rest in the locker room. Whatever he said worked because the Knicks caught fire in the third quarter and turned the backlog into a nine-point lead, thanks to RJ, who had 18 points in the period.
RJ shot 6-7 in the quarter, including a lightning 4-4 from outside the arc. He finishes with 24 points.
The game did not get too close in the fourth quarter, mostly due to a strong defense and the veteran skill of PG Derrick Rose, who had 17 points of his own, as well as some great dishes.
Seven friggin ‘games! Summary to come.