FVV scored two shots (46-42). VanVleet even reduced the gap to -2 on a double not against Rose, but Bullock responded with three 3-points in a row to give air to his family (55-46).
FVV on fire in 2nd shift
VanVleet doesn’t hear it that way. The Toronto defense tightened and the number 23, first served by Siakam, then by himself, scored twice from far. Return to -3 (57-54). The gap is finally 5 points at the break (64-59), on a shot from Anunoby in response to the insolent address of the Knicks at 3-points (10/17, 58.9%).
The return of the locker rooms is very good for Toronto. Defense is in place, VanVleet aggressive in attack. He finds Siakam at 3-point end of possession. The Cameroonian is then sent to the throws and scores 2 of 2 (69-68). A new good defense allows OG to give the advantage to his team by concluding a 7-0 (69-70).
The Knicks bench makes the difference
The second half of the third quarter remains tight. The two teams answer each other in quick succession. Randle is on fire (27 points) and it takes all the science of Kyle Lowry’s breakthrough to make him lose a bullet. The New York bench dominated the Toronto at the end of the third quarter. The Knicks lead 88-83 before the final period.
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