ATLANTA — If Julius Randle and RJ Barrett had performed this sharply in opposition to the Hawks final spring, the Knicks would have gained that first-round playoff sequence.
The Hawks followers had been chanting “playoff chokers’’ within the first half Saturday evening at State Farm Area, however Randle and Barrett shut them up with a mixed 50 factors in a 117-108 victory that put the Knicks over the .500 mark for the primary time in additional than a month.
After laying in a giant inside hoop with 2:51 remaining within the fourth quarter regardless of getting mauled by John Collins, a smiling Randle celebrated by giving a thumbs-down — this time, presumably, to Hawks followers, who had been heckling him on the baseline after the sequence.
Randle completed with 24 factors and 9 assists and saved his composure late, regardless of twice getting blocked on the rim within the fourth quarter by Atlanta’s younger large man, Onyeka Okongwu.
Barrett, coming off two straight 30-point video games, pumped in 26 factors and Evan Fournier added 18. For the second straight recreation, all 5 starters cruised into double figures: Alec Burks had 17 factors and eight assists and Mitchell Robinson had 14 factors and 13 rebounds.
“It’s nice to see him have a monster recreation like that,’’ Barrett stated of Randle. “Once we each play properly, now we have an incredible likelihood to win.’’
Randle’s efficiency and his joking use of the thumbs-down had been steps within the course of profitable again his followers after his thumbs-down show towards Knicks followers 9 days in the past on the Backyard.
Randle, nevertheless, was not made obtainable to the media after the sport for the fifth time within the final six contests.
“I assumed the two-man recreation with he and Alec was actually good,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau stated. “I assumed Julius made nice reads all recreation lengthy, after which that obtained us going. You possibly can’t say sufficient about the best way RJ is taking part in, additionally.’’
The Knicks are 8-3 of their final 11 video games, again over .500 at 22-21 and can be located within the play-in occasion if the season ended right now. It’s the primary time they’ve been over .500 since Dec. 2.
“It feels good,’’ Barrett stated. “That’s what we had been working for. We had a troublesome month, we’ve began to choose it up now and it’s thrilling to be a part of it.’’
The Hawks made a spirited rally from a 17-point deficit early within the third quarter and had been down simply three factors with 4 minutes left within the fourth.
With Atlanta followers chanting “De-Fense,’’ Barrett cooly sank a right-wing 3-pointer that set the Knicks on a 10-0 run, with Randle placing the ending touches on the win.
“It’s an incredible workforce win,’’ Barrett stated. “They actually fought again. Plenty of us made large performs down the stretch to carry them off.’’
The Knicks used the identical beginning alignment that routed the Hawks right here in late November, which prompted Thibodeau to formally demote level guard Kemba Walker from the rotation.
Walker, who's out with a knee harm, has an excellent likelihood of changing into obtainable for Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee in opposition to the Hornets. It stands to purpose the Knicks coach may think about using him off the bench.
Earlier than the sport Saturday, Thibodeau issued a warning that each one taking part in time should be earned, partly through good practices.
“You make your selections primarily based on the individuals you could have obtainable, however we’ll see after we get guys again,’’ Thibodeau stated after the sport. “We’re all the time gonna do what’s greatest for the workforce, interval.’’
Within the first half, Randle scored 15 factors and had six assists because the Knicks constructed a 14-point bulge on the break.
Randle deferred within the first quarter with crisp passes, together with a sequence to large males Robinson and Taj Gibson. Then, he turned a scoring machine late within the second quarter in notching 9 straight factors.
“I believe him studying the sport — the sport tells you what to do, however I believe the unselfishness is essential,’’ Thibodeau stated. “Simply hit the open man. Belief the cross.’’
The Hawks have struggled on protection all season, the reason for their 17-25 file and fifth straight loss. They could qualify because the NBA’s most disappointing workforce after their miraculous run to the Jap Convention finals final season.
The Knicks could or could not win the commerce for Cam Reddish they made Thursday with the Hawks, particularly if the first-round decide they obtained is conveyed this June, however they positive look to be headed in a greater course.
Post a Comment