Two teams hoping to avoid the play-in tournament face off Saturday night when the New York Knicks visit the Kings of Sacramento.
The Knicks (39-27) and Kings (38-27) have each won back-to-backs as they move toward the 40-win mark in the first of two meetings in the final month of the regular season .
The clubs meet on April 4 in New York.
In a classic matchup between a good defense and a good offense, the Knicks have been brilliant on the defensive end of late. They held three straight opponents to fewer than 80 points before giving up 93 in a 12-point win at Portland on Thursday to begin their current four-game road trip.
New York has allowed 81.3 points per game during this four-game stretch, nearly 27 points below its season average of 108.1 points allowed, which ranks second in the league behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers (twice) and Trail Blazers have combined to shoot just 37.8 percent overall and 27.9 percent on 3-pointers during this stretch.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is proud that his players were able to go back in time to some of the glory days of New York basketball.
“The fact is, 20 years ago, that was really the style of play,” he said of the stifling defensive style. “To be able to do it in today’s game is a credit to the team. You have to be linked and you have to work together and you have to be able to count on each other.
“That’s how our team plays, and we’ve had to use it most of the year when we’re short on players.”
The Knicks began their road trip still without injured Julius Randle (shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle). OG Anunoby, who played in his second straight game after returning from right elbow surgery, had 12 points and nine rebounds for Portland.
Jalen Brunson carried the load offensively against the Trail Blazers with 45 points in a game in which no other Knick scored more than 12.
The Kings enter the game having scored 120 or more points in four of their last five games.
Sacramento has won its last seven games by scoring more than 110 points, and has lost its last four games by failing to surpass the mark.
The Kings had 111 with more than four minutes left in Wednesday’s 120-107 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. They were even more impressive offensively in a 129-94 home game against the Milwaukee Bucks the night before.
Sacramento shot better than 50 percent overall and made at least 45 percent of its 3-point attempts in each victory.
The Kings also held the Bucks to 36.6 percent shooting from the floor and 17.9 percent on threes. Sacramento also managed to keep the Lakers off the offensive boards (only seven in the game).
“A lot of what we do offensively is fueled by our defense,” De’Aaron Fox said. “As long as our defense is like that, I think we’re in a great position.”
–Field level media
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