Austin Rivers is becoming the Knicks’ Mariano Rivera – a closer elite.
No clue is safe against these Knicks. And Rivers.
Two days after rising from 15 points below, the Knicks recovered from an 18-point hole to eliminate Jazz, more magic from the end of Rivers’ fourth period, their new highlight closer.
The son of Doc Rivers’ clutch scored 14 consecutive points in the stretch that included four consecutive points of 3 and a float with the timer decreasing as the Knicks advanced to 5-3 after winning their fifth game in six matches. It is his best record after eight games since the magical 2012-13 season.
Rivers finished with 23 points from 9 out of 14 shots. Rivers has been instrumental in the fourth quarters of the last three games, having missed the entire preseason and the first five games of the season with a tug at the groin.
Thibdodeau said he saw Rivers grow as a technical assistant for Doc Rivers when Austin was in high school. So this insane binge is not shocking Thibodeau.
“I’ll tell you what, he never missed it,” said Thibodeau. “He never lacked confidence.”
Thibodeau recalled that Rivers was going to practice at the Celtics – a club with two Hall of Fame guys.
“He wanted to play one on one, including Kevin Garnett,” said Thibodeau. “Rivers wanted to play (Kevin). Austin really thought he could beat him. ”
Julius Randle had a very slow start before leading the charge and recording another 39 minutes with the Knicks wiped out in front. Randle recorded 30 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.
The Knicks also performed very well when they started shooting for point guard Reggie Bullock, a decision for the game with a knee pain. Bullock registered 12 points, hitting 5 of 8 shots. Playmaker Elfrid Payton came on the line and added 22 points and six assists.
A third quarter without a turnover, 34-19, brought the Knicks back from their lethargic start by taking a 78-75 lead after three quarters recovering from an 18-point hole.
To end the third quarter, the Knicks made two first-rate defensive moves, leading to the transition. Kevin Knox recorded a rare block, leading Payton’s layup to the fast attack, giving the Knicks their first advantage since the start of the first quarter.
Then Rivers started his big night. He kicked the ball away from Joe Ingles of Utah, throwing Barrett for a dunk in the final fourth seconds to give the Knicks a 78-75 lead after three, crowning an 8-0 streak.
Payton started the fourth quarter by draining a 3-point basket to put the Knicks in five points and extend the race to 10-0. A dunk by Mitchell Robinson put the race at 12-0 and gave the Knicks an 82-75 lead that Rivers more than protected.
The Knicks lost 18 points in the second quarter. Randle and RJ Barrett, who are first and second in the league, respectively, in minutes played, looked tired from the 3-1 trip. Utah led 56-44 at the break and Barrett made it 0 out of 6 in the first half.
In the end, everything was forgotten.