Back to the wall, the Knicks relied on their defense

It was day and night. After a catastrophic performance the day before against Dallas at Madison Square Garden, marked in particular by a real collapse in the second half (69-41), the Knicks have indeed put their heads back in place, last night against the Ridersstill at home (92-81).

In a difficult position after losing seven of their last eight home games, the residents of “MSG”, very far from the account in attack (40% on shots including 18% from behind the arc, 20 ball losses for 17 assists) , then found the resources in defense, in a tight match for everyone since the Cavaliers only converted 35% of their shots, including 23% only for their attempts behind the arc (8/35).

Like the discrete outputs of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. The first scored only 23 points on 22 shots, he who had however destroyed the defense of New York during the first meeting between the teams, in Cleveland on October 30, with 38 points. The second, only 17 points on 19 shots. In fact, the Cavaliers lacked ideas on offense, unable to alternate and spread play.

” I thought we put in the effort to win from start to finish. In front of [Donovan Mitchell et Darius Garland], we can’t let our guard down. I liked our face » thus appreciated Tom Thibodeauunder pressure for several weeks and necessarily satisfied with the performance of his players in their half of the field.

Another point of satisfaction for the men of “Thibs”: the return from the locker room, missed in the great widths against the Mavericks the day before since they had conceded 41 points in the third quarter alone. Against the Cavaliers, only 20 points conceded, under the impetus of a defense that has not lowered its guard.

Finally, there’s the offensive rebound with 14 catches under the Cleveland panels. It’s about twenty points scored on “second chances”, and the Robinson-Hartenstein duo brought a lot by their aggressiveness.

” It is an important victory. We needed it. I’m happy to have won this way. It was a bit adventurous in attack. But the fact that our defense kept us going all the way is a good sign » then declared Jalen Brunson, once again the most prominent Knick, with 23 points and 4 assists. ” It was a bit of a ‘must-win’ for us, for sure added on his side Quentin Grimesexemplary in defense against Donovan Mitchell.

Next deadlines this week for the Knicks (11-13): the reception of the Hawks on Thursday and a trip to the Hornets on Saturday. Two games within their reach, to try to balance their balance sheet again.