Gradual begins, porous inside protection and inconsistent bench scoring stay considerations for the Knicks, even amid a interval of dominance. These points had been evident once more of their 126-106 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, a victory that prolonged New York’s streak to eight video games and marked its 18th victory in its final 22 outings.
Despite the fact that the Knicks have capitalized on a schedule full of inferior opponents, the standard of their play hasn’t all the time lived as much as their report. Their final two victories got here towards the Wizards, homeowners of the worst report within the Jap Convention, a crew whose offense lacks firepower. In Washington, “DC” may as properly imply “Do not Contest,” however the identical criticism may apply to the Knicks’ protection at occasions throughout this run.
Take Saturday, when New York allowed Washington to attain 132 factors in a victory. On Monday, the Knicks fell again into previous habits, dropping the primary quarter 30-27 and clinging to a two-point lead at halftime earlier than breaking away within the third quarter.
Good groups are anticipated to discover a method to win, and the Knicks have persistently carried out that in this stretch. However for a crew touted as a professional contender for the Celtics’ Jap Convention crown, these tendencies, particularly within the face of poor competitors, increase questions.
New York now sits at 23-10, with a positive probability to increase its successful streak to 9 video games when it hosts the struggling Utah Jazz on New Yr’s Day. Past that, nonetheless, profiles an actual take a look at: a confrontation on January 3 with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, chief of the Western Convention.
The Knicks’ tendency to downplay their competitors has turn into a troubling theme. Whether or not it is vacation fatigue or just an absence of urgency, the development predates Christmas:
• On December 15, the Knicks had been tied with the Magic within the first quarter, though Orlando was lacking Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
• Towards the Timberwolves on December 18, the Knicks trailed by one level after the primary quarter earlier than a dominant second quarter turned the tide.
• In a Dec. 21 recreation towards the league-worst Pelicans, the Knicks had been tied at 28 after the primary half however pulled away for an 11-point victory.
• The Knicks gained the primary quarter towards the lottery-bound Toronto Raptors by two.
• Even on Christmas Day, they led the Spurs by a single level after the primary quarter and wanted late heroics to safe the victory.
• On December 27, the Knicks had been three factors behind Orlando at the beginning of the second quarter, regardless of the Magic’s absence of Moritz Wagner, Banchero and Franz Wagner.
• And towards the Wizards, they discovered themselves trailing by one level on the finish of the primary two quarters of their consecutive conferences.
The Knicks have emerged victorious every time, however these sluggish begins threaten to create unhealthy habits because the season progresses.
“Typically it takes us a short time to get up,” Josh Hart admitted after the sport. “However we nonetheless do it.”
It is true: Monday’s victory is one other instance.
Karl-Anthony Cities had a game-high 32 factors and 13 rebounds, anchoring the offense. Jalen Brunson added 18 factors and 5 assists, whereas Hart posted a triple-double full of season highs: 23 factors, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Knicks struggled to comprise Wizards veteran Jonas Valančiūnas, who scored 22 factors on 10-of-13 capturing off the bench and dragged Cities into hassle. However Washington’s lack of capturing proved deadly as they made simply 12 of 43 makes an attempt from past the arc. New York outscored the Wizards by 23 factors over the ultimate three quarters, placing the sport out of attain.
The Knicks have confirmed their means to win, even whereas correcting their flaws. Their upcoming schedule affords the chance to refine their strategy with winnable video games towards Utah and Washington once more earlier than the stakes rise towards Oklahoma Metropolis.
If the Knicks wish to solidify their place among the many league’s elite, they might want to deal with their defensive lapses and sluggish begin. The expertise is there. Now it is about consistency and ensuring their unhealthy habits do not come again to hang-out them later within the season.
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