NBA — Facing the Pacers, the Knicks recorded a fifth victory in six games (119-113), thanks in particular to the 61 points of the pair Jalen Brunson — RJ Barrett.
To date, she is thus in possession of New Yorklogically victorious overIndiana (119-113), having raced in the lead from start to finish and having above all been able to count on the fine performances of Jalen Brunson (34 points) and RJ Barrett (27 points, 8 rebounds). Opposite, Buddy Hield (31 points, 8 rebounds) tried everything to win his team in the money timenot only.
Note the injury exit of Tyrese Haliburton (15 points, 7 assists), while Myles Turner – also injured – had to forfeit before kick-off, leaving Julius Randle (14 points, 16 rebounds) rule the racket.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— New York well launched by its great start. If the Knicks are now in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, it is largely thanks to their fiery first quarter (37-21), which saw them immediately take control, not to then let them go. In the wake of an excellent Jalen Brunson, elusive from far and near and well supported by the ghost RJ Barrett, Tom Thibodeau’s men thus blew up the Pacers defense, deprived of Myles Turner, both in paint and behind the 3-point line. Great basketball, therefore, and a lead on which they subsequently capitalized.
— Indiana unable to validate its comeback. Still behind by more than twenty points in the third quarter (78-53), the Pacers nevertheless managed to come back to -3 at the start of the fourth quarter and even to -2 in the money time. To do this, they notably sought to increase the pace as soon as possible, limit their ball losses and regain address at 3-pts, which quickly put the Knicks in difficulty. Problem: despite Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin or TJ McConnell, Indy was too short at the end, because Jalen Brunson was there, for example, to watch over the grain in hot moments.
— The return of RJ Barrett. Absent for two weeks, due to a finger injury, the Canadian finally found the floors and he was also quite good in relay of Jalen Brunson. If he had some difficulties in shooting (9/23 on shots, including 4/12 at 3-pts), the New York winger did a lot of good for his team, with his aggressiveness in scoring. Also present on the rebound and valuable in defense, he signed an encouraging recovery there, in line with what he produced before his injury (26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on average, between December 9 and Christmas).
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jalen Brunson. Untenable since Christmas (almost 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists on average), the leader of New York confirmed that he was in sparkling form. It was he who, in the first act, launched his team perfectly, with in particular an impressive series of 13 points in a row to put it at +10. It was also he who pushed the Pacers back in the second half, with throws in the third quarter, then especially with 7 points in a row in the money time
, when they had returned to -2 (105-103). Proof that he is indeed one of the most “clutch” players in the league this season.
✅ Buddy Hield. Supported by the duo Bennedict Mathurin (20 points) – TJ McConnell (14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) off the bench, the Bahamian once again established himself as the leader of Indiana’s attack. Even when he signs a lackluster first half (5 points, 2/7 on shots), his quality of shooting (7/15 to 3-pts in the end) is such that you should never let your guard down against to him, on pain of seeing him directly regain his confidence. Illustration in the second half, when the back put the Pacers back in the game with his various award-winning successes (which also earned him to ignite on certain possessions…).
⛔ Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner injuries. While initially expected to start the game as a starter, Turner was eventually forced to withdraw moments before kick-off due to back pain. A blow for the Pacers, orphans of their best interior defender, which probably explains their awful start on the defensive level. But as that was obviously not enough, Rick Carlisle’s men also lost during the game Haliburton, their master to play, hit in the knee at the end of the third quarter and did not come back into play afterwards…
⛔ The excitement of New York. In control in the third quarter, the Knicks had everything to head for easy success. Especially when Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ best player, was injured moments before the fourth quarter began. Yes, but here it is: the teammates of Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson are known to slack off when you least expect it and, this time around, weighed down by their stupid ball losses, their lack of success at 3-pts and their inability to slow down, they almost gave Indiana a victory on a plate, which obviously did not ask for so much.
THE FOLLOWING
New York (23-19) : trip to Washington, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:00).
Indiana (23-19) : reception of Atlanta, on the night of Friday to Saturday (01:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
