Scenes from Mitch hitting free throws!

After dropping the hammer on the Celtics last night in Boston, the New York Knicks (49-32) hosted the Brooklyn Nets (32-49) tonight. Were they tired? They looked it.

The Knicks stunk to start, missing shots, dragging their heels on defense, and falling behind 30-14 by the close of the first quarter. They gained momentum in the second with improved shooting from three-point range and closed the gap to nine points by halftime. After intermission, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the team to win the third quarter 30-13. Brooklyn closed their deficit to one point late in the fourth frame, but their hack-a-Mitch strategy backfired, Jalen Brunson out-dueled Cam Thomas, and New York squeezed out the win, 111-107.

For the Nets, Cam Thomas finished the night with 41 points on 15-of-26 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson scored 30 points and 11 assists on 10-of-25 shooting, Josh Hart contributed 16 points on a tidy 6-of-9 from the floor, and OG Anunoby scored 15 (all in the third quarter). But Mitchell Robinson was a late-game star, making free throws and tallying up a season-high 15 points and eight rebounds.

Meanwhile, the 76ers beat the Magic, the Cavs survived the Pacers, and the Thunder are about to drop the Bucks. The TV reports that the Knicks can finish no lower than fourth place in the East.

First Half

The fatigued Knicks clanged their first five shot attempts and fell behind by 11-0 before Donte DiVincenzo swished his first trey of the contest.

With Isaiah Hartenstein out due to Achilles tendinopathy maintenance, Jericho Sims started at center because Tom Thibodeau wanted to keep Mitchell Robinson with the second unit.

The home squad gave approximately zero defensive effort and fell behind by 16 points with three and a half minutes remaining in the period. The Knicks were outrebounded 13-7 and shot 25% inside and outside the arc. They scored no points over five minutes and only 14 for the quarter while surrendering 30. Rough night so far.

In the second quarter, Brooklyn goosed their lead to 17 points, but New York showed signs of life. Jalen Brunson, who missed all four of his Q1 shots, woke up to score nine points, and Bojan Bogdanovic matched that as our heroes narrowed their deficit to seven. Josh Hart led the Knicks with 10 first-half points and swished a buzzer-beater to make the intermission score, 63-54.

The Knicks made seven of nine three-point attempts in the second quarter. 40 points in the second quarter was great. Surrendering 33 and getting outscored in the paint, 30-18? Less so.

Second Half

New York cured their lollygagging ways in the locker room. They returned to the court with a 9-0 blaze, fueled by the sticky fingers, dynamite dunks, and long-range shooting of Mr. OG Anunoby. His first 15 points and two steals of the game all came during the third period, including three three-pointers.

When Jalen Brunson drilled a 25-foot three-pointer, New York attained their first advantage of the game. Thanks to fantastic shooting, and pressuring Brooklyn into seven turnovers while committing none of their own, New York took an 84-76 lead into the final frame.

While the Knicks’ shooting cooled off, the Nets attacked with aplomb in the fourth. Thanks to buckets by Cam Thomas and bench player Jalen Wilson, Brooklyn came within a point as they closed in on the two-minute mark. They began to intentionally foul Mitchell Robinson, who made 5-of-8 from the stripe.

Cam Thomas and Jalen Brunson dueled down the stretch, but Jalen outscored him 8-7 in the final minute and a half to bring home the win.

Up Next

On to the final game of the season! The Bulls come to town for a matinee game on Sunday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.

Box Score