This is what we call a really good derby where the intensity and indecision were there until the end. And in the final moments, the Knicks Jalen Brunson And Julius Randle, 30 points each, had the last word (103-108). Tom Thibodeau's men had to fight hard to achieve this fourth success in a row.
While the two teams were in a tight spot at the break (51-50), the Nets had Mikal Bridges in great form (36 points at 14/26 on shots), author of his career record at 3 -points (7/13), took the lead in the third quarter (85-76).
Miles McBride and OG Anunoby each had good runs at the start of the final quarter to put New York back on track. But it was not until the return of the bosses that the Knicks, on a tap from Julius Randle, regained the advantage four minutes from the end (97-98).
One last crazy sequence
The battle was far from over as Dennis Smith Jr. looked well to find Dorian Finney-Smith in the corner, for his only winning basket of the match. After several missed attempts by his teammates on the same possession, Julius Randle brought out his magical left arm to respond to him from behind the arc, before losing the ball while out of control in his dribbling on the next possession…
What followed was the craziest sequence of the game, started by Nic Claxton's counter on Jalen Brunson. The Nets went on the counter-attack but despite the excess numbers were unable to finish, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart each being awarded a counter. The ball went the other way with Julius Randle finding his leader, who gave it back for a two-handed dunk synonymous with a near “dagger” one minute from the end (101-103). When we said intense…
“ This is our team. Jalen and I often get hyped for scoring points and stuff like that, but it's those actions that help us win games. They may go unnoticed, but they are decisive actions “, describes Julius Randle when talking about the sequence in question.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Jalen Brunson is very hot. The Knicks leader is in his fifth straight game with 30 points or more. The former lieutenant of Luka Doncic displays his best career averages in points and passes, while maintaining excellent skill levels. In January, he averaged 29 points and 8 assists every night. At this rate, it's hard to see how a first selection to the All-Star game could escape him.
– The public won over to the Knicks. We did not know what the distribution of fans was, between those of the Nets and the Knicks. The end of the match gave a good indication since Mikal Bridges, in the last seconds, had to face a bronca while he was on the free throw line. The kind of scene that probably only this derby can produce. This night, the Barclays Center was clearly more enthusiastic after the exploits of the “visitors”.
– The Knicks intractable in the face of “negatives”. Local television reported a record now of 19 victories without any defeat, where ESPN Speaks, him, 20 victories in 21 matches. Regardless, the Knicks are the best team in the league against teams with a negative record. A trend that was already evident last season, but not to the same extent (23v-10d). His record against positive teams, however, is much less convincing (7v-16d).
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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.
