The New York Knicks come off their best game of the season against the third-place Heat, to be blown out 128-102 in a wire to wire loss against the first place Bucks.
The New York Knicks went to Milwaukee and was again blown away by the first place Bucks in a wire to wire 128-102 defeat. The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo played the Knicks with the same ferocity of the seventh game of the Finals.
Not many of the Knicks showed up in this game tonight. Grades and reactions are as follows;
RJ Barrett was phenomenal in his gameplay tonight. In 31 minutes, RJ had 22 points on six of 15 shooting, including five of seven from outside, five of six from the line and eight rebounds. This was RJ’s career-high from the three-point line.
Stats aside, RJ was one of four Knicks in double figures. He played hard and physical in the paint. He was confident in his outside shot, and his teammates obliged him, feeding his hot hand.
Another double-double game for Julius Randle, who kept the team within a respectable distance in the first quarter with 14 points. Randle was relentless in the paint finishing the game 10 of 20 from the field for 25 points, including three of six from outside. He also had 15 rebounds and four turnovers.
Randle put up a noble effort but he was playing the best team in the league and had no help from any of his teammates aside from RJ. He needs to work harder on not acquiring so many turnovers.
Elfrid Payton was ejected from the game midway through the third quarter after arguing with the ref about a foul against Mitchell Robinson. At the time he was ejected, Payton had two points and five assists.
Frustration was evident but a player should never allow himself to get ejected especially when his backup is out injured.
Bobby Portis contributed 20 points off the bench, with eight rebounds. Unfortunately, 15 of Portis’ 27 minutes came in the fourth quarter, when the game over and the Knicks were down by 34 points.
Other Takeaways
- Mitchell Robinson played 18 minutes and had seven points, one block, two steals, and just three rebounds.
- Reggie Bullock only played 23 minutes and had three points as a starter.
- Kevin Knox II played 23 minutes off the bench, had 10 points, and four rebounds.
- Antetokounmpo played just three quarters and led his team with 37 points with nine rebounds and two blocks.
- Marcus Morris, Sr. (neck), Frank Ntilikina (sore groin) and Dennis Smith Jr, (left oblique) were again out.
- This was the third and final game between the Knicks and the Bucks this season.
The Knicks return home on Thursday, Jan. 16 to face the Phoenix Suns.