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Brunson scores 45 points and the Knicks roll past the Trail Blazers, 105-93 – Winnipeg Free Press

Game RecapBy No Comments3 Mins Read
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 45 points and the New York Knicks beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 105-93 on Thursday night.

Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby had 12 points each for the Knicks, who have won four of their last six games as they fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 16 games remaining in the season.

Deandre Ayton had 31 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, playing the second of a back-to-back and the last of a six-game homestand. Portland defeated the Atlanta Hawks 106-102 on Wednesday night.


New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, left, as Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, center, looks on during the first half of a basketball game -NBA ball in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, March 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton, left, as Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, center, looks on during the first half of a basketball game -NBA ball in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, March 14. 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

The Knicks led by 22 points in the fourth quarter. Portland got within 98-87 on a long jumper by Ayton with 3:54 left, but the comeback attempt stalled.

Anfernee Simons, who led Portland with 36 points against the Hawks, sat out Thursday. Coach Chauncey Billups said the knee bothered Simons for a while and after playing more than 40 minutes against the Hawks, the decision was made to keep him out.

Jerami Grant missed his second straight game for the Blazers with a lingering right hamstring strain.

Anunoby played in his second straight game after returning from right elbow surgery Tuesday for a 106-79 home win over Philadelphia. There was a scare when Anunoby grabbed his elbow during the first half and was later seen icing it on the bench. He returned to start the second half.

Before the game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau offered his condolences to the family of former Knicks player RJ Barrett over the death of his younger brother Nathan. Barrett’s current team, the Toronto Raptors, announced Nathan’s death in a statement. Details were not known.

The Knicks had a 26-25 advantage after the first quarter, then pulled away in the second on a 15-2 run capped by Isaiah Hartenstein’s jumper that made it 44-33.

New York entered the break with a 55-41 lead, led by Brunson with 21 points. When Brunson stepped to the line for free throws, some in the large crowd of Knicks fans at the Moda Center shouted “MVP!” »

The Knicks pushed the lead to as many as 20 points in the third quarter and entered the final period with an 85-68 lead.

Ayton finished with his seventh straight double-double.