The New York Knicks also beat the Toronto Raptors thanks to Julius Randle and Derrick Rose

The New York Knicks took their ninth win in a row and also beat the Toronto Raptors. Man of the evening was once again Julius Randle, who with 31 points could not be stopped by the Canadians. But ex-MVP Derrick Rose also had a creamy day.

New York Knicks (34-27) – Toronto Raptors (25-35) 120:103 (BOXSCORE)

• The New York Knicks remain the hottest team in the NBA, and Toronto also had no answer to Julius Randle at the end of the day, who put up 31 points (10/17 FG, 5/7 threes) and 10 rebounds. But not only Randle shone, Derrick Rose also played an almost perfect game and, as Sixth Man, always seemed to control the game. D-Rose posted 19 points (7/10 FG) and 7 assists, plus a plus-minus rating of +26.
• This time, the guarantee for the Knicks victory was the strong offense. Especially in the first half, the hosts fired from all cylinders and hit 10 of their 17 three-pointers, a total of 61 percent from the field. And yet the Raptors were only 5 points behind because Fred VanVleet (27, 10/20 FG, 11 assists) and OG Anunoby (27, 6/11 threesome) together also sank 7 distance throws in the first 24 minutes.
• New York managed to defend the threesome better or not allow it at all – despite the Raptors leadership in the meantime. And in front? Coach Tom Thibodeau could rely on Randle. The forward and RJ Barrett kept the offense going with 8 points each. The Knicks succeeded in the decisive run with the second unit around Rose and Immanuel Quickley, who initiated a 14: 3 run. In this phase, number 8 pick Obi Toppin (9, 3/5 FG) also hit two triples, the lead increased to 16 points.
• In the end, the Raptors’ good starting five couldn’t make up for that either. Toronto missed the role-play production, the Knicks-Bank had enormous advantages here. Gary Trent Jr. (4, 2/8 FG) was a total failure as Sixth Man, the bank only got 13 points overall. Pascal Siakam put on 26 points, Kyle Lowry (4, 1/10 FG, 9 assists) didn’t hit anything from the field. Nerlens Noel delivered 4 blocks for the Knicks, including a real highlight in the final phase against Siakam, Barrett double-doubled with 25 points and 12 boards.