Two nights, two games, two different Knicks (35*-20) teams.
Last night, the Knicks fell in overtime to the lowly Indiana Pacers, dropping a game that should’ve been a gimme and playing the worst defense of their season. Tonight, they travelled to Philadelphia to battle the sixth-place 76ers (30-24). With vastly improved defense, domination in the frontcourt, a franchise-record 24 first-half assists, and a total eruption by the freshly minted Jose Alvarado, the outcome was completely flipped. New York
burned the Xfinity Mobile Arena to the ground and won, 138-89.
As mentioned by chinaski1980, this was the “Largest point margin ever against the 76ers.” The win splits the season series. Weirdly, the road team won all four games, although the Knicks fans in attendance made this one sound almost like a home game.
The first quarter was like a beautiful dream. Our heroes displayed no fatigue from last night’s bummer against the Pacers, and Mikal Bridges led the way, contributing nine of the Knicks’ initial 16-4 run. He scored 13 in the quarter and 22 overall on 9-of-15.
Through the first 12 minutes, New York won the paint 20-12 (with Karl-Anthony Towns scoring seven of those), made seven of their first nine shots, and assisted on 11 of their 15 first-quarter field goals. Their lead peaked at 14 points, thanks to a tighter defense (steals for Bridges and Hart, a block for Towns) that forced four Philadelphia turnovers. Towns finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Off the bench, Mohamed Diawara (14 PTS, 4-8 3PT) swished a three, redeeming his dud performance last night. Then, with a minute left, Mitchell Robinson tried to drive a rebound to the hoop but was dropped by Trendon Watford. While Mitch lay on the floor, Watford stood over him. The newest Knick, Jose Alvarado, took exception, told Watford so, and tensions rose. Philly’s Nick Nurse entered the court, trying to break up the congregating players. The coach and Alvarado were assessed offsetting techs. Watching Jose—26 PTS, 8-13 3PT, 5 steals, four assists, three boards, and +35 in 19 minutes—I can’t help thinking what fun Thibs would have had with such a magnificent menace.
New York won the first quarter, 36-23, and the good vibes continued in the second. Diawara drilled again from deep. Alvarado hit back-to-back triples early in the second quarter, and then a third at the midway point. New York was on a 9-0 run, going up by 27. The stadium rocked with Let’s Go Knicks chants. Philly’s supporters tried to drown them out to no avail.
With Joel Embiid out, Nurse started Adem Bona at center. Neither Bona nor Andre Drummond (2 PTS, 4 RBS) could contain KAT and Mitch. Through the half, the former had 16 points, the latter had four blocks. For one delightful stretch, Coach Mike Brown played a lineup that included Jalen Brunson (8 PTS, 30 MIN), Alvarado, Towns, and Robinson. The height in the frontcourt compensated for the height in the backcourt.
Tyrese Maxey (32 PTS, 9-21 FG) tried to keep Philadelphia afloat, but his was mostly a solo performance. By halftime, New York was steamrolling the Cheesesteaks, 72-42.
The Knicks’ 24 assists set a franchise record for a half. They had outshot the home team 58% to 35% from the field and 50% to 13% (2-of-15) from deep, beat them in the paint (34-24), and won the glass (26-20). Bridges and Maxey led their teams with 19 points apiece.
Out of the intermission, the Knicks promptly pushed the lead to 33 points, then got sloppy, turning the ball over twice. Philly didn’t capitalize on New York’s mistakes, however. Maxey did his best but received scant assistance from VJ Edgecombe (14 PTS, 0-5 3PT) and Dominick Barlow (13 PTS), and no help from Kelly Oubre, Jr. (2 PTS, 0-6 FG, 30 MIN), Bona (6 PTS, 5 RBS), or their bench.
Maxey and Edgecombe trimmed the differential from 34 to 22 by the three-minute mark. Towards the end of the frame, Nurse resorted to hack-a-Mitch. The big fella went 5-of-8 from the line, so joke’s on you, jerk. Mitch finished with 11 points and six points to go with those four blocks.
With Alvarado adding another triple and Clarkson scoring seven points, New York regained a hefty lead by the break. 104-71 after three.
To start the fourth, Alvarado stroked another three-ball, then jumped a passing lane for his second steal, THEN hit another trey. And another. Pinch me, I’m in love—and so was the half of the crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena that was chanting Jose! Jose! Jose!
The Knicks were up by 40, so Brown thought it safe to field an assortment of Alvarado, Tyler Kolek, Diawara (who hit another longball), Kevin McCullar, Jr., and Ariel Hukporti. Sweet lord, Alvarado had back-to-back steals, then hit a career-tying eighth three-pointer. After that, Brown decided Jose deserved a rest and subbed him out. Diawara and Kolek hit from deep, Hukporti dunked, and every Knick available scored. What a win to carry them into the break.
Up Next
Like an oasis in the NBA desert, the All-Star break awaits. Rest up, Knickerbockers.
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup Final doesn’t count. Email your commissioner.
