JUST TWO GOOD!
Randle leads Knicks to second straight win to tie Nets in standings
(Yes, we know it’s early)
Good things are happening when the Knicks play hard. Which also means Tom Thibodeau’s lessons are being validated.
They’re not the most talented team on most nights, but efficient 3-point shooting, a commitment to defense and Julius Randle’s all-around excellence has the Knicks on a two-game winning streak.
Randle, the once-maligned power forward, posted an exquisite triple-double in Tuesday’s 95-86 victory in Cleveland, dropping 28 points with 12 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists. He again served as the Knicks’ top playmaker, and countered sporadic sloppy play (nine turnovers) with early All-Star production. The Knicks used the eighth overall pick last month on Randle’s potential replacement, Obi Toppin. But with Toppin injured, Randle continues to solidify his position as the franchise’s top player.
“I think he has a pretty good understanding of his teammates and what they’re strengths are,” Thibodeau said. “And he’s playing unselfishly and that’s probably the biggest thing. He’s shooting the ball a lot better also. That’s opened up other things for us.”
The final score made the game seem closer than its reality, courtesy of a very late Cavaliers flurry. The Knicks (2-2) led for the entire second half, handing the Cavs (3-1) their first defeat.
Projected as one of the league’s worst, the Knicks now own the same record as Kevin Durant’s mighty Nets.
The biggest discrepancy Tuesday, just as it was two days prior in a shocking win over Milwaukee, was the 3-point shooting. The Knicks converted 56% of their treys (14-of-25); the Cavs hit 21.9% (7-of-32).
It negated the Knicks’ 24 turnovers. Randle, who became symbolic of the Knicks’ struggles last season with his uneven play, enjoyed his greatest statistical performance since signing his three-year, $63 million deal.
“Obviously I’m going to put that pressure on myself as well to challenge myself and get better every year,” said Randle, who is averaging 24.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists. “Last year was a great learning experience for me. But this year I’m coming back a better player and come back in great shape. And that’s just part of the culture we’re building.”
Thibodeau’s squad held a 15-point advantage in the first quarter. Randle was the catalyst, finishing the first quarter with 14 points, five assists and six rebounds. The Cavaliers cut the deficit to 7 at the break, with Randle, at that point, sitting just two rebounds and two assists shy of a triple-double.
Point guard Elfrid Payton then took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the final 11 minutes to thwart all of Cleveland’s mini runs.
The Knicks have been hit early by injuries, and Tuesday’s active roster was a byproduct. Toppin (calf strain), Austin Rivers (groin strain), Immanuel Quickley (hip pointer), Dennis Smith Jr. (contused quad) and Alec Burks (sprained ankle) were all inactive. Burks’ absence was probably the most surprising and potentially devastating to the Knicks. Even coming off the bench, Burks represented New York’s second-leading scorer behind Randle.
For the Cavaliers, former All-Star Kevin Love was ruled out for 3-to-4 weeks with a calf strain. Asked if the shortened training camp and preseason was contributing to injuries, Thibodeau highlighted the importance of conditioning. He always highlights the importance of 3-point shooting.
“Usually, the start of the season you look at the entire month as training camp. So it’s shortened. Coming in you don’t know, there’s been such a long layoff. Even if you’re diligent and staying in condition it’s a lot different than playing where you have the contact and that physicality,” the coach said. “So I think you have to go through an adjustment period there. So in some ways it doesn’t surprise me. The guys that stayed in great shape I think do have an advantage. The guys that were in good shape and not great shape they’re at a disadvantage right now.”
It was the first Knicks game with live fans, with 300 people spreading out at Cleveland arena. Ohio allows for such indoor gatherings, but New York’s government enforces tighter pandemic restrictions. There won’t be fans at MSG anytime soon, in other words, which means some Knicks fans will miss some live Randle excellence if this continues.
“I feel like he’s more focused now,” center Mitchell Robinson said. “When he’s coming in, he’s coming strong. Especially in the summertime, all the hours he done put it, it’s just paying off. He’s going out there and doing his thing.”