OG Anunoby is dressed for the first time with the Knicks, who are challenging a big piece: the Wolves. And behind the Anthony Edwards – Karl-Anthony Towns duo, it is the visitors who make the first difference of the match, at +9 (23-32) after the first 12 minutes. Chris Finch's players will even take up to 11 points in advance.
However, this will be the biggest gap of the match in favor of Minnesota, the New York bench relaunching the team, before Jalen Brunson allows the Knicks to take control of the match at the break (61-49).
The locals continue to increase the gap, up to +22 (83-61) on a 3-pointer from newcomer, OG Anunoby, while the Wolves' attack is generally limited to the exploits of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert notably being picked off several times by Isaiah Hartenstein near the circle. A good passage from Jordan McLaughlin nevertheless allows the Wolves not to completely give up (94-78) at the start of the fourth quarter.
And since Minnesota is not the best team in the West for nothing, Karl-Anthony Towns takes the match into his own hands, pushing Julius Randle to make a mistake to completely revive the Wolves!
Behind their KAT, the visitors are back to four small points (99-95) with more than six minutes to play in the match. We then say to ourselves that the “momentum” has shifted, especially since OG Anunoby has to come out for six fouls. Except that Julius Randle will score the baskets needed to prevent New York from sinking, Anthony Edwards not being able to replace Karl-Anthony Towns in the most critical moments. And New York wins (112-106).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The premiere of OG Anunoby. For his first with the Knicks, OG Anunoby made OG Anunoby with solid defense, physical impact and 3-point success. Three points which surely made Tom Thibodeau very happy, even if the new arrival had to leave his partners after taking his 6th fault.
– The failed comeback of Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wolves. Jostled for rebounds all game, as described by Chris Finch, who regretted the 16 offensive rebounds of New York which really hurt his team, the leaders of the West had to rely on the talent of Karl-Anthony Towns to attempt the hold-up in the fourth quarter. And it almost worked, with New York finally holding on in the final stretch.
–MVP Randle. And if the Knicks held on, it was mainly because alongside a clumsy and especially distributor Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle made the baskets that counted. Despite five fouls on the clock, the strong winger (39 points) was decisive for his team, and he was entitled to the “MVP” at Madison Square Garden.
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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.
