The Knicks are now the only team in the NBA with the Jazz to have chained nine successes in a row this season! Supported by Derrick Rose (19 points) and a precious Nerlens Noel in the protection of the circle (4 blocks), the Barrett-Randle tandem was able to further raise its level of play to counter reaction Raptors, who ended up letting go in front the determination of the Canadian international.
The Knicks are not transcendent in the first half but can count on their strengths to lead the race, whether through brilliant shots from Derrick Rose, near the circle and halfway, or thanks to the contribution of Julius Randle (20 points at the break), also at the rendezvous with two 3-point baskets at the start of the game to gain confidence.
Nerlens Noel takes out the slapping box
The Raptors pay a heavy price for their small defensive mistakes but stay in the race thanks to their outside skill, with Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby as the main snipers. The tandem is particularly valuable just before the break, as the New Yorkers tacked for the first time at +9 (57-48), OG Anunoby thus bringing his own to -5 of a basket from the corner just before the break. (64-59).
The intensity goes up a notch after the locker room and the Raptors respond. Not left behind to score behind the arc, Pascal Siakam plants two new missiles to put the Canadian franchise in the lead (73-76).
The dunks of Khem Birch and OG Anunoby then respond to 3-point from Julius Randle. It then takes two blocks from Nerlens Noel, on Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam to revive the premises. Reggie Bullock continues with a lay-up in counter-attack and the pair Rose-Barrett gives five steps ahead of the premises at the end of the third quarter (88-83).
Hello from RJ Barrett
Immanuel Quickley puts his people in orbit with a long shot and here is the Knicks at +11 after RJ Barrett’s 2 + 1 (94-83). Obi Toppin concludes Tom Thibodeau’s men 9-0 with a 3-point basket that directs NYC straight to a ninth straight victory. The rookie continues in counter-attack by again letting rain fall on the defense of the Raptors, relegated to 16 lengths (102-86).
OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam take turns to bring Toronto down to -10 at the start of the “money-time” (107-97). Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam find the crosshairs to bring the mark to 110-103. But Canadians will find native RJ Barrett on their way. After a lay-up snatched from a defensive rebound, the Toronto native scored two precious throws and improved the new Nerlens Noel counter on Pascal Siakam with two rebounds and an improbable 3 + 1 to seal the Knicks’ 9th victory, 120 to 103!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
–
