Julius Randle became an All-Star last week. He became a winner on Sunday in Detroit.
After six previous seasons with losing teams, Randle led the Knicks to a winning record – achieved on Sunday with a 109-90 rout by the Pistons at the Little Caesars Arena.
The Knicks advanced to 18-17 and occupy the fourth place in the grouped Eastern Conference. It is the last time that it has surpassed .500 in a season since the campaign of 54 victories in 2012-13.
The Knicks led 11 at the break and Randle hit the Pistons’ lights with a brilliant 12 points in the third quarter. Randle finished with 25 points out of 10 out of 17 shots, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals while his qualifying season shuddered overnight after dominating Pacers’ All-Star Domantas Sabonis.
“I think that’s the nature of the league,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “Sometimes the schedule is in your favor, sometimes it is against. The challenge is to be ready whenever you need to. So, back to back, travel, you arrive late, the ball goes up, let’s be ready to roll. Just find a way to do that. That’s what we did. “
And Randle – best of all – didn’t miss a game, playing great minutes in all 35.
The Knicks have two games left before the All-Star break – in San Antonio on Tuesday and hosting the Pistons in a rematch on Thursday. It is safe to say that they have a great chance of going on a week-long vacation with a winning record.
Randle had the timely help of RJ Barrett, who made his second game in a row with 20 points (7 of 11). Last season, Randle and Barrett had little chemistry. That all changed in this remarkable first season with coach Tom Thibodeau.
Randle has already scored 3 more points than last season, going 3 out of 5 on Sunday. He now has 66 in the season after 35 games. Randle registered just 64 last season in a 64-game campaign shortened by the pandemic.
The Knicks have moved to 6-2 since center back Mitchell Robinson broke his hand in Washington.
Barrett scored 12 points in the first half. He drilled two points of 3 points and hit the arc hard for all types of runners.
After scoring 24 points on Saturday against Indiana, Barrett scored 5 out of 7 on the break, with the Knicks taking a 48-37 lead in the break.
The Knicks had that lead despite kicking just 36.7 percent of the field. It was an ugly first half – personified by the brave defense of center pivot Nerlens Noel.
Noel, the last Knicks pivot standing, was a beast in defense. He scored three blocks, including a spectacular stop at the edge on a tour of the rookie lottery selector Saddiq Bey.
Noel ended the night with eight points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
The Knicks are devastated in the center. Robinson is possibly out until the end of March with a broken hand and reserve Taj Gibson could lose time with a sprained ankle he suffered on Saturday. This forced Noel into a big role and he is entering him with grace and courage. He is fifth in the NBA in blocks per game, with almost 2.0.
Former Knicks owner Dennis Smith Jr., starting with Detroit, drilled one of the first 3 points. He hit 1 in 6 at the interval, when the Pistons hit just 30.8 percent, but he also made a good block. Smith finished with seven points and four assists.