There was no suspense in this first New York derby of the season, held in Brooklyn, as the locals outperformed their Manhattan neighbors (112-85). An unbalanced match, during which the Nets, realistic and effective in attack (30 assists on 42 baskets, 48% on shots), have never been guided in the score, and have brought them, to the maximum, of … 35 points , under the pressure of a great Kevin Durant in triple doubles (29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists), and several “role players” perfect to assist him.
In front, Knicks as ineffective as possible in attack (32% on shots, 15 balls lost) and poor in defense, who could only count on a constant Julius Randle (24 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists), in this nightmare evening , to be quickly forgotten.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A quarter was enough for the Nets. To all the Knicks fans who fell asleep at the end of the first quarter: rest assured, you haven’t missed anything. I would even dare to say that you made the right choice, after 12 first minutes absolutely indigestible by the troops of Tom Thibodeau, 16 points behind (38-22) after this first act. A first act at 60% of the shot on the side of the Nets, more than enough to take cover, as the gap then increased to +25 (69-44) at the interval. Before a second half to be concretely summed up in a 24-minute “junk time”.
– The nice surprise Edmond Sumner. The only full-back in the major five, along with three wings (Durant, Harris and O’Neal) and a pivot (Claxton), the former Pacers player made his presence felt during the 19 minutes he spent on the pitch, with 18 points ( 7/10, of which 3/4 behind the arc), 5 rebounds and 2 assists. In the absence of Kyrie Irving, whose unavailability is still unclear, he clearly has something to play for.
TOP / FLOPS
✅ The five majors of the Nets. Unlike those of the Knicks, all negative, the five owners of the Nets all closed with a largely positive +/-. The most prominent: Kevin Durant obviously (+32), imperialist in everything, leader for example and who offers himself a cumbersome triple double (29/12/12). Good game also for Royce O’Neale and his huge +44, decent in attack (6 points to 2/7) but active everywhere (10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals). A little more discreet, Joe Harris (+27) and Nic Claxton (+14) were nevertheless perfect complements of the players, the first bringing movement without the ball and two rewarded shots, the second rebound measure and hands ready to receive the close leather the circle.
✅⛔️ Giulio Randle. On this infamous night for the Knicks he was the best player, or the least bad. His record is in fact mixed because despite a double double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, he finished with the weakest +/- of the team, with -29. Strange evening for New York’s outer fort.
⛔️ Les Knicks. After such a poor quality performance collectively, the whole team must be criticized, after a catastrophic exit: 85 points to 32% on shots including 28% to 3 points, a ratio of 21 assists for 15 ball losses and one defeat rebound battle (63 vs 56), despite the Nets’ lone pivot, Nic Claxton, only played 19 minutes. Without forgetting, of course, a desperate defense, both in the execution itself and in the desire and motivation. In short, the Knicks played their worst game of the season.
THE FOLLOWING
– Networks (5-7) : Trip to Los Angeles, Saturday night (10pm) to face the Clippers
– Knicks (5-6) : reception of the Pistons, the night from Friday to Saturday (01:30)
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