Esthetes of the orange ball, go your way… This match between the Knicks and the Wolves was a purge from the point of view of the attack, with a victory of New York which was less awkward than its adversary (96-88) .
Mitchell Robinson (14 points, 18 rebounds) and Julius Randle (13 points, 15 rebounds) effectively cleaned up the racket of the Wolves who never managed to adjust the sights, finishing a pitiful 18% success at 3 -points, symbolized by Malik Beasley’s 4/16 (20 points) in the exercise.
At the start of the “road trip”, the Knicks therefore have a second victory in a row with the possibility of continuing, knowing that their schedule reserves a trip to Detroit, then another to Oklahoma City and finally a last one in Toronto, all three eligible knowing that New York has almost its five major intact.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle domineering rebounding. In a match where the two teams have accumulated an address flush with the daisies, the battle of the rebounds was essential and it was the Knicks who came out big winners on this one. With Mitchell Robinson who swallowed 18, including 6 offensive, and Julius Randle who finished 13, including 4 offensive, New York not only locked its defense but also was able to afford second chances (23 points against only 11 at Minny), crucial in this closed match.
– Clumsy Wolves. Without its three stars, all in Covid protocol, Minnesota had to do with the means at hand, that is to say Jordan McLaughlin, Nathan Knight or even Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and Patrick Beverley in the five major. Unsurprisingly, the starting five did not shine, with an 8/23 on shots for Beasley (including 4/16 from distance) or even a 0/8 for Beverley. We will also highlight Jaylen Nowell’s 5/14 coming off the bench. In the end, Minnesota finished 18% at 3-point, 7/38 … “It was an evening without”, conclut Chris Finch, “Yet we got the open positions we absolutely wanted. Out of those 38 shots, I would say 30 were of high quality for our top shooters. “
– RJ Barrett finite fast. Cold like the match, RJ Barrett (8 points to 3/10 on shots) was nevertheless able to reverse the trend at the end of the match, while the Wolves were threatening. The Canadian fullback of the Knicks not only entered an important 3-point, in the corner just in front of the bench of the Wolves, but he also sought several baskets in contact which preserved the final result for Tom Thibodeau and his troop.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Mitchell Robinson. With a big double-double at 14 points and 18 rebounds, Mitchell Robinson made his presence felt on the boards last night. His impact on the rebounds, on both sides of the field, was one of the reasons for the Knicks’ victory, with great efficiency as a bonus at 7/8 on shots. A rarity last night.
✅Jaden McDaniels. More empowered in a plundered workforce, Jaden McDaniels answered Chris Finch’s call with a full game at 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks, all at 7/11 on shots! It is not only his best score of the season but also his fifth game in a row above 10 points. And also a career record on blocks.
⛔Kemba Walker. The veteran Knicks point guard is blowing (very) hot and (very) cold this season, on his return home to New York. Last night in Minnesota, it was cold with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a very difficult night on shots, at 3/11. Fortunately his three shots were 3-points, which limited the damage for Kemba Walker …
⛔Patrick Beverley. Fresh out of health protocols, Patrick Beverley was rusty. At 0/8 on shots, the veteran point guard was absolutely atrocious offensively, even if he made up for his overall activity on the field, accumulating in particular 7 rebounds and 7 assists all the same.
THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota (16-18) : start of a trip in three stages, with the first stage in Utah, on the night of Friday to Saturday.
New York (16-18) : continuation of the “road trip” with a trip to Detroit next night.
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