The Knicks continue their rise in power. By winning without difficulty in Phoenix (122-138), Tom Thibodeau's men started their series of trips to the West perfectly by pocketing a 4th victory in a row.
This night, the New York team mainly relied on its attack to make the difference. The first three minutes of the meeting gave a good overview of the rest of the events. Behind a Jalen Brunson – author of 50 points at 9/9 behind the arc during his last visit to Arizona – very hot from the opening, New York signed a 14-3 to start.
And this thanks to a perfect 4/4 at 3-points, a long distance address which was never going to leave the visitors. From then on, the latter were able to generate a lot of space within an opposing defense that was sometimes very lax on cuts to the circle of Karl-Anthony Towns or the former local of the stage, Mikal Bridges.
The Suns are starting too far
After 12 minutes, the visitors had already exceeded the 40 points scored (28-44). Behind the good outings of their holders (Tyus Jones, Jusuf Nurkic and Royce O'Neale at 14 points or more), the Suns tried to hang on. Their leader, Devin Booker, setting an example with a very clean match overall. The Suns nevertheless returned to their locker room 18 points behind (58-76).
It would be necessary to wait until the last quarter to see the locals really worry their opponents, with a push to get back to 12 points (108-120) 7 minutes from the end. But like every time, the Knicks attack, driven more by Karl-Anthony Towns in the final, had no problem responding.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– An offensive feast. The New York team, which was coming off its best attacking performance of the season against the Wizards (134 points), showed impressive fluidity. 58% on shots including 49% from distance, 30 assists for 50 baskets scored, 60 points in the paint… All indicators finished in the green for the Knicks, all of whose starters finished with 14 points or more.
– Incorrigible Thibodeau. ESPN commentators did not fail to point this out. After a timeout 4 minutes from the end and with a 19-point gap, Mike Budenholzer logically decided to empty his bench. His counterpart opposite was going to wait a good two additional minutes to do the same. Minute management is a problem with him, but this choice raises even more questions in a match where his team has never led and where the gap has often exceeded 20 units. Despite everything, its starters all played at least 34 minutes.
– The Suns are losing ground. While the Knicks have a 4th victory in a row, the Arizona players display the opposite dynamic with five losses in a row. Their idyllic start to the campaign seems distant today. The good news is that there is optimism about the return of early season strongman Kevin Durant, likely to return for the next game against the Lakers. Oddity of the calendar, this meeting as part of the “NBA Cup” does not take place until next Tuesday.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
