On this Wednesday evening at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks, who are trying to keep their “play-in” hopes alive (4 straight wins), welcome the Hornets, whose current dynamic is very good (7-3 over the last 10 games) but who lost to the same Knicks a few days earlier, in Charlotte.
The first quarter is marked by a high offensive rhythm, and a lot of skill (13/21 for New York, 13/22 for Charlotte). The Knicks’ two usual strongmen on offense, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, tallied 19 points when Miles Bridges (11 points) fed the scoreline diligently for the Hornets.
After 12 minutes, the residents of “MSG” have a narrow lead (31-28).
The second quarter is quite different: the offensive rhythm is lower, because the two formations begin to defend, like the very good passage of the rookie Miles McBride, who gives his all in defense on LaMelo Ball. During the first part of the quarter, the substitutes offer good minutes (in particular Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin for the Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr. for the Hornets), before the holders take over to conclude the first half. .
Despite the heat stroke of Evan Fournier (13 points at 5/8) and the rise of RJ Barrett (18 points at 6/11), New York loses the course in attack and sees the Hornets take the advantage in score at halftime (58-55), under the impetus of a LaMelo Ball who is gradually finding his bearings (11 points and 7 assists).
After the break, we find the basics of the first quarter, that is to say a high offensive rhythm. Side Knicks, Evan Fournier confirms his good first half (14 points in the third quarter), while Julius Randle, discreet since the first quarter, is valuable (17 points). But the Knicks’ defense is far too permissive (33 points at 12/20 for the Hornets), and Charlotte takes the opportunity to sign a first short break after 36 minutes (91-83), in this disputed match.
At the start of the last quarter, New York did little better in defense and came close to disaster (95-83). But the pair of “false” leaders, Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks, come to the rescue and sign a very big pass, which allows the locals to come back a short distance from their opponents halfway through the quarter (104-102 ).
Only, New York does not benefit from this momentum found, because of his defensive wanderings. The Hornets easily widen the gap, under the impetus of Miles Bridges and PJ Washington, who kindly room spectators who are a little too talkative in the front row. Charlotte solidifies her 9th place in the East, and puts an end to the good series of the Knicks (125-114).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Hornets are hot on the heels of the Nets. With the victory, Charlotte now has a record of 40 wins and 37 losses, the same total of victories as the Nets, and only one loss more. Two weeks from the end of the regular season, James Borrego’s men have the wind in their sails, and could well steal the 8th of the “play-in” (synonymous with only one game to play, against being 9th) to the Nets, in the Eastern conference.
– The Knicks racket at an open house. Constantly under pressure because of the “drives” towards the circle of Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball or Miles Bridges, the Knicks allowed 68 points in their racket. A huge total, which resulted in both easy Hornets baskets, but also open 3-point shots, since each penetration towards the circle triggers a defensive assist, and therefore frees a Hornets player behind the arc . In this game, Miles Bridges (4/4) and Kelly Oubre (4/8) enjoyed themselves.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Miles Bridges. The leaping strong winger of the Hornets has often succeeded in his matches at Madison Square Garden since the start of his career. Nothing new, therefore, with a new XXL performance on the most prestigious stage in the NBA: 31 points (11/15, 4/4 at 3-pointers), 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Too powerful to be contained when he rushes towards the circle, and particularly skilful behind the arc, he made the Knicks defense see all the colors. He even allowed himself to punctuate his evening with a huge “windmill” at the end of the game. A successful evening for the former Michigan State Spartan.
✅ Evan Fournier. Announced absent earlier in the day, he was finally present. Clumsy during the Knicks’ last game, the Frenchman set the target and then rolled out the whole evening. He finished the match with 30 points, 10/16 on shots, including 6/8 for winning shots. All that was missing was the victory of his team to sign a perfect evening.
✅ Immanuel Quickley. The 6th man of the Knicks plays much better since the All-Star Weekend break, and he was still very valuable off the bench, notably being at the origin of the comeback of New York, finally easily thwarted by the Hornets, in the last quarter. In 23 minutes, he brings 16 points (6/12), 3 rebounds and 4 assists, with the overflowing energy that we know him.
✅ LaMelo Ball. When one of the most amazing showmen in the league arrives at Madison Square Garden, we can expect a colorful evening. The youngest of the Ball siblings actually entertained, showing his excellent game vision and his nerve in attack. He finished with a very nice double-double, 20 points and 15 assists (personal best), and added 5 rebounds for 3 steals to complete his work. Only downside: the 6 lost balls.
✅ RJ Barrett. Another good evening for the Canadian, who clearly imposed himself, little by little, like the metronome of the Knicks in attack. Important in all aspects of the game, he finished with a good statistical record: 25 points (9/17), 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
⛔️ The contribution of the Knicks bench. Apart from Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks’ replacements weren’t very inspired: the former Kentucky player alone scored 16 of the bench’s 20 points! In their defense, we must mention the rotations of Tom Thibodeau, who does not adapt much and relies heavily on his starters. But compared to the contribution of the Charlotte bench (42 points), the total of that of the Knicks is spot.
THE FOLLOWING
New York (34-43) : Saturday, reception of the Cavaliers
Charlotte (40-37) : trip to the 76ers on Saturday
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