Irony of the calendar, it is opposite Evan Fournier that Donte DiVincenzo last night seized the Knicks records for 3-point baskets scored and attempted in a game. Unleashed in the first half, the New York full-back finished the match with a superb 11 out of 20 from a distance, three points behind the record of his former teammate, Klay Thompson.
“The crowd was pushing me… There’s that emotion when you have a little space and you get the ball back… You can hear the crowd” he says about his 11th winning basket of the evening. “I've said it before, they're the best fans in the league, and at that moment, it's like a dream: 'You have to slow down, take your time, and shoot.'
Author of a 9 out of 13 after three quarters, DiVincenzo will pour water in the last quarter to get this record, and it is finally three minutes from the end that he scores this 11th 3-point basket , on his 20th attempt! He erases the record previously shared by JR Smith and Evan Fournier with 10 successes. On the other hand, this same Smith maintains his record for the number of attempts: 22. At the end, that gives 40 points for the Knicks guard, his career record, and a 15th victory in a row for the Knicks against the Pistons .
Monty Williams did not appreciate the show…
But the manner annoys Monty Williams. “I absolutely don’t care about their team. These guys, and the way they go for their 3-pointers… I don’t want to be part of all that…”
Bad loser, the Pistons coach? “If he doesn't want to be part of all that, he just needs to ask his players to defend better! » replies Josh Hart. “We have a guy who has the hot hand, and we tried to find him. In basketball, this is a normal reaction. He's a coach in the NBA, and I think he's smart enough to know that when someone has the hot hand, you have to serve them. »
“He’s having a hell of a season and he deserves this record”
Another reaction, that of Evan Fournier. The Frenchman holds the franchise record for 3-pointers scored in a season. But his record hangs by a thread since DiVincenzo now only needs eight winning baskets to beat it. And there are 11 matches left…
“To be honest with you, it’s not surprising at all,” reacted the Frenchmanauthor of 15 points against his former teammates. “He has definitely found his role, and I congratulate him. He has a very good understanding with the other players, in particular with JB [Jalen Brunson], and he is very intelligent when it comes to finding space for a 3-pointer and he has very quick movements. He's having a hell of a season and he deserves [ce record]. Honestly, he fits the way they play perfectly, and I'm happy for him.”
