We were expecting a clash between the 3rd and 4th in the Eastern Conference, and it only lasted twelve minutes… since the Knicks won 140-106 against the Bucks with 44 points from Jalen Brunson. A violent halt for Milwaukee, which remained on three consecutive victories.
No observation rounds, and superstars in great shape… The first quarter is a treat with Damian Lillard lighting the first fuses, and Jalen Brunson responding to him. Their duel enlivens this first quarter, and if Brunson does it alone with 23 points in 12 minutes, Lillard needs Giannis Antetokounmpo to answer him. Like on this alley-oop while touching where the Greek goes for the And-1 with a “finger roll”. It's a pretty crazy quarter, and Brunson gives the Knicks the lead on a final basket with the board (36-33).
The Spark Cameron Payne
And when he rests, it's his understudy, Cameron Payne, who takes over. Passed by the Bucks, the left-hander draws off the screen, or finds Deuce McBride in the corner. It is under the leadership of Payne that the Knicks take off, to the point that Tom Thibodeau rests Brunson for seven minutes! Opposite, the Bucks do not maintain the pace, and New York leads by 9 points (61-52) when Brunson returns to the game. After a quarter-time to score, the All-Star leader plays the conductor to find OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. At the break, New York leads by 13 points with 75 points scored!
Returning from the locker room, the Brunson show continues, and the gap widens again (79-62). After fifty seconds, Doc Rivers already takes a time-out, and it has no effect since the Knicks take a 27-point lead (92-65) thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. We've only been playing for four minutes in the 2nd half… We find the Bucks at the start of the season, without defensive withdrawal or desire, and only Giannis tries to shake his teammates. Like on this counter on Towns, but behind the rebound is for the Knicks, and Brunson sanctions from afar (108-89).
It's him again who restores a 20-point lead (111-91) with a super step-back 3-pointer. He is already at 40 points… and as he adds another layer with a similar gesture, the gap is close to 30 points six minutes from the end. For Doc Rivers, there is no need to insist and “garbage time” is already beginning.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Brunson assures and reassures. As the Knicks took off at the start of the 3rd quarter, Jalen Brunson immediately joined the locker room. The All-Star leader feared for the condition of his shoulder, but his return to the bench, then to the game, reassured everyone. At the finish, 44 points in 29 minutes!
New York is getting back on track. Thanks to their three victories in a row, the Bucks had returned to the heels of the Knicks in the standings, but this large success allows Tom Thibodeau's players to now have six victories in advance, and to get closer to the Celtics.
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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.
