NY Knicks: Ranking each game of the 9 game winning streak
By James Ryder
#9: NY Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers – 111-96 – April 12th
Every game of the winning streak was of course exciting in their own way, but the matchup with the Lakers was easily the cakewalk of the bunch.
Both teams had nearly identical scoring in the 1st half and the fourth quarter, but a strong third quarter from the New York Knicks put this one out of reach for LA.
Despite Dennis Schroder giving the Knicks fits for most of the game, the win never seemed in doubt after halftime. Midway through the third quarter, Reggie Bullock had scored 8 of the Knicks 13 points, featuring back-to-back three-pointers and a floater. The latter basket gave the Knicks a 68-62 lead.
That 6-point lead quickly ballooned to 10 and then to 13 by quarter’s end. After that, New York cruised like a sports car down Rodeo Drive in the LA sun.
Player of the game: Julius Randle – 34 points, 10 rebounds
#8: NY Knicks vs Toronto Raptors, 120-103 April 24th
This was another game that never felt in doubt, although it was close throughout (Clyde-style rhyming not intended).
Just as they did against LA, the Knicks took over in the fourth quarter after being up 88-83 through three quarters. A flurry of jumpers to begin the quarter got the team up as many as 15 points by the halfway mark. Immanuel Quickley hit a three, RJ Barrett hit a mid-range shot, and even Obi Toppin hit two straight threes during that run.
Julius Randle drew a foul on a three-pointer and hit all three free throws to make it 105-90, a score that remained for about to full 2 minutes. Derrick Rose had a nice finish, dishing 3 of his 7 assists on the night to close out this game. In the final minutes, Barrett put on some finishing touches with a couple of baskets and free throws. He had 12 points in the last 12 minutes.
Player of the game: RJ Barrett – 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 8-16 shooting (3-7 3P, 6-7 FT)