It was the first big poster of the night and the New York Derby kept all of its promises. A packed Barclays Center, shows, a knife game. Let’s go for the recap!
For house stats of the Big Apple’s best enemies, it’s right here.
What’s better than a Nets-Knicks to start an NBA night and get straight into the mood? We would order one every night! At the time of attacking this meeting, six places separate the two rivals. However, the Knicks do not intend to let themselves be walked on and they prove it with a big start to the game. Julius Randle plays the facilitator for the buddies and everyone participates in the scoring. Opposite, James Harden has activated Houston mode and he is unplayable to wear his (28 points… at the break), well helped by the young and talented Cam Thomas. As often this season, the reinforcements of the second unit are good news for New York and the trio Rose-Quickley-Toppin are on the march. The native of Chicago badly butt a Paul Millsap which does not take any more on his guiboles and the Knicks gradually regain control of the match behind a Julius Randle in perfect team leader. Whether on defense to get in the way of KD or on offense, the 2021 PIM does a great job and allows NY to stay ahead at the break. (61-60)
The break will do good for the Nets who come back with better intentions. Patty Mills is in all the right places and he connects two bombs from the parking lot and two interceptions upon returning from the locker room. James Harden slams a massive putback with the celebration to electrify Barclays Center and Brooklyn lands a 12-0 that puts New York underwater. We say to ourselves that it smells of fir for Tom Thibodeau and his family but they will still find the energy to come back to the game. Julius Randle pulls the muscles inside, Alec Burks brings precious buckets and Fournier adds two bombs from Charenton. Before the start of the money time, only four points separate the two teams. We were hoping to release the popcorn and the Michael Jackson GIF and we weren’t disappointed with the script. The two rivals surrender blow for blow, Kevin Durant forgets his delicate start to the match to chain clutch baskets and Brooklyn managed to take a three-point lead with 20 seconds remaining. So who’s coming to save the Knicks? Evan Fournier. Benché a big part of the fourth quarter, Vavane sends unmanned missile to equalize at 110 everywhere. Unfortunately for the tricolor back, the last possession will see James Johnson recover two throws on a fault of Mitchell Robinson. Fournier will have one last chance for the win but his prayer will only touch the circle. Nets victory.
What a goddamn match and how many heroes on the floor. For Brooklyn, we obviously remember the enormous performance of James Harden (34 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists), probably one of his best this season. Kevin Durant was also excellent and he recovered well in the money time to plant eleven of the last fifteen points of his team. On the New York side, we will note the super match of Julius Randle but also the excellent first of Alec Burks in the starting five. Efficient in attack and hardworking in defense, the former Jazz player was happy tonight and he quickly made us forget a Kemba Walker now a simple spectator.. Unfortunately for the new starting guard of the Knicks, that will not have been enough.
The Nets pulled away and they managed to get rid of the Knicks in the derby. We had the right to a real thriller, a great basketball game and we want more. Why not seven more in a few months, eh?
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