PAIR FORCE WON
The Mitchell Robinson-Enes Kanter center tag team was a winning tandem Monday as the Knicks broke their five-game schneid.
But everything is not all hunky dory in Knicks center-land despite the pair’s effectiveness against the Nets.
KNICKS 115 NETS 96
Despite David Fizdale’s decree the Knicks aren’t “hunting for victories’’ by virtue of their youthful starting lineup, they managed one anyway against their bleak crossriver rival Nets, 115-96 at the Garden.
Robinson, the rookie project 7foot center making his second straight start over Kanter, was electric and perfect from the field (5-of-5). He finished with a careerhigh 11 points in 15 minutes.
Kanter finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, his fifth doubledouble in six games. The Turkish center has bitten his lip regarding his bitter demotion, again repeating his three-day-old mantra after the game.
“Coach told me to go out there and lead the second unit,” he said. “I’m just going out there and leading the second unit.”
However, as he departed the locker room and was asked if he’ll change up that line, Kanter quipped, “That’s my line to the end of the season — if I’m still here.”
The Knicks won their first contest since the season-opening romp over Atlanta. They also avenged a last-second loss in Brooklyn in the season’s second game. Both New York squads are 2-5.
“We have to build from this win,’’ said Kanter, a free agent at season’s end.
Fizdale has been excited about Robinson’s defense but felt on the other end he’s been often out of position. Until Monday.
“He had way more possessions where he was supposed to be, where we can be organized and get into certain actions,’’ Fizdale said. “
Robinson lit it up in the third quarter — executing the first highlight play of his NBA career. He knocked away an entry pass intended for Jarrett Allen, seized the loose ball, sprinted like a thoroughbred and leapt for a massive right-handed slam early in the period. The Garden went nuts.
“It feel great — everyone just cheering,’’ Robinson said. “Do what they do best — cheer for us.’’
Soon after his high-flying dunk, Robinson stripped Allen of the ball after the young Nets center collected an offensive rebound. Before heading to the bench to a big ovation, Robinson skied for an alley-oop slam off a lob from Tim Hardaway Jr. as the Knicks ran away with it.
On the next possession, Hardaway drained a 3, putting the Knicks up 21 points. They led by as many as 25.
Hardaway finished another pro- ductive night with 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Frank Ntilikina, in his second successful start at point guard, finished with 16 points, four assists and five rebounds as seven Knicks hit double-figures.
Ntilikina hit a game-sealing three-point play with 4:30 left, hitting a fallaway banker in the lane while getting fouled, lifting the lead to 15.
“We have spent a lot of time on our ball movement, execution, playing 48 minutes,’’ Fizdale said. “I saw things carry over. They took it to heart.”
Robinson is starting over Kanter in a surprising maneuver that has rankled the 26-year-old big man who normally destroys the Nets. Kanter recorded 29 points and 10 rebounds in the first matchup.
While Kanter is trying to not blow in the press, he gave the Knicks a big boost, posting a double-double in the first half.
“I thought he played great,’’ Fizdale said. “He did everything I asked of him to do in the second unit. He really captained it and his numbers speak for themselves.’’
The Nets, playing the second night of a back-to-back after playing Golden State tough, should’ve just stayed on their side of the Brooklyn Bridge, shooting just 40.5 percent with Hardaway this time owning Caris Levert (four points), who had the game-winner in the first game Oct. 19.
“We talked earlier in the day and made a point of emphasis to get back on track and we had to start it tonight,’’ Hardaway said.