COVID HITS NBA AGAIN

Mavs-Pelicans and Bulls-Celtics postponed

the Knicks will either miss 3-pointers or decline to shoot. Thibodeau expects the strategy, which began in preseason, to continue.

“In general, we’re going to see that,” Thibodeau said. “There are times we attacked it really well. And of course when you’re making shots, it helps. And so we have to get into the gaps, make the right reads, get into the ball. And not hesitate when we’re open. And oftentimes we’re passing up a wide-open shot. And in this league when you do that, you end up with a shot that’s not as good. And so if we’re open, we’re going to shoot.”

After the Knicks’ winning streak last week prompted Austin Rivers to declare this a new era, it has looked very much like the old Knicks. The defeats to the Thunder, Nuggets and Hornets were all non-competitive. Next up is Wednesday at home against the dysfunctional Nets in what already feels like an important game.

Rivers noted the Knicks have navigated a tough schedule and he remains optimistic.

“You got to ask yourself as a Knicks fan, or if you’re covering us, would you take a 5-6 start considering we had one of the toughest schedules in the league?” Rivers said. “Everybody just take a deep breath. We have a lot of games left. We’ll be okay.”

Gordon Hayward, the Hornets’ big free agency signing, dragged the Knicks on Monday with a cool 32 points, including 28 in the first half. Julius Randle was hounded and double-teamed, enduring his quietest game of the season with just 11 points on 2-of-9 shooting. He looked gassed after playing 39 minutes the night prior in MSG.

Immanuel Quickley shot 1-for-10, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Knicks committed 16 turnovers and were outscored in every quarter.

With Reggie Bullock out because of a hip injury, Thibodeau was forced to use a different starting lineup for the first time this season. He inserted Rivers at a wing position, but the new lineup fell into a 19-5 hole after six minutes. The Knicks never regained the lead.