NY Knicks: Ranking each game of the 9 game winning streak
By James Ryder
#7: NY Knicks vs Toronto Raptors – 102-96 – April 11th
New York had Toronto’s number during this winning streak.
Ironically, the Knicks didn’t even have to play very well on offense in this game to win, at least in the first three quarters. Both teams struggled shooting for the game. Toronto was shooting 41.8% from the field and 32.4 percent from three. The Knicks shot 39.8% and 25.7% from deep. Randle was 1-8 and Bullock was 2-8 from three, sheesh.
Thankfully, the poor shooting didn’t plague the team down the stretch. Alec Burks had another patent-pending clutch fourth-quarter performance, scoring all 8 of his points in the final minutes.
And with 34 seconds left, Barrett hit the dagger three-pointer from the right corner off the feed from Randle.
Player of the game: Alec Burks – 8 points, 2 assists (all in 4Q)
#6: NY Knicks @ New Orleans Pelicans – 116-106 – April 14th
Once again, this game was decided in the fourth quarter by some incredible play from Alec Burks.
Burks finished the game with 21 points and 7 rebounds. 14 of those points came in quarter number 4.
He and Derrick Rose (11 points, 4 REB/AST) off the bench were crucial in a game where Barrett (2-10) struggled. Randle (32/8/5) and Zion Williamson (25/8/7) put on a show in the much-anticipated bully-ball matchup.
Brandon Ingram also had a pretty big game, finishing with 28 points and 7 assists. Besides Burks though, the most impressive effort on either side might have been from Taj Gibson. In a game without Nerlens Noel, and while facing Steven Adams, Gibson held his own on both ends by providing 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Player of the game: Alec Burks – 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7-12 FG, 4-7 3P