This time, Donte DiVincenzo Didn't need to try twice! In the series against the Sixers, the Knicks guard missed his first shot of the win before scoring the second in Game 2. Monday night, Donte DiVincenzo gave the Knicks a three-point lead, with 40 seconds to play , on his first attempt.
A “game winner” before its time since the Pacers will no longer come close to matching the Knicks. And yet, Donte DiVincenzo had no idea of the time…
“I honestly didn’t know how much time was left on the clock.” , he admits. “I didn't know there were only 40 seconds left. I just wanted to attack them and try to do the right thing. I didn't know there were only 40 seconds left. »
Confidence in every shot
Without being pressed for time, Donte DiVincenzo immediately felt that this shot could hit the mark. “Yes, I felt it. I believe every shot I take is going to go in,” laughs the rear. “That’s my mentality, I’ve had it all year long. Whether it fits or not, I tell myself that the next one will fit. »
With more than three 3-pointers scored on average, Donte DiVincenzo is the Knicks' most prolific outside shooter, and he has even set several franchise records. It is for this reason that Jalen Brunson did not hesitate to serve it in such a hot moment. However, Josh Hart was also in a position to shoot in the corner and he wanted to inform his former teammate at Villanova.
“It better go in because I was damn wide open,” quips Josh Hart. “But Donte is a hell of a shooter, he has maximum confidence. He works on it every day, and I trust him to find the best open shot possible. »
A presence on both sides of the field
To top it off, Donte DiVincenzo was also decisive in defense. On a final possession for the Pacers, the back caused Myles Turner to make an offensive foul. The referees ruled that Myles Turner was in motion when he hit Donte DiVincenzo, and the Knicks regained possession with only one point separating them from the Pacers with 12 seconds remaining in the game.
“It was huge. He's done that for us all year.”recognizes Isaiah Hartenstein. “Now that it’s the playoffs, it’s even more important for us. We don't know what would have happened without his two actions…”
We will also not forget to remember that he took care of Tyrese Haliburton in defense, who finished the match with 6 small points to his account.
