The New York Knicks dispatch the Detroit Pistons with ease when they enter the All-Star range in a long streak of hitting.
The New York Knicks is entering the All-Star break with a winning record for the first time since 2013. This is also the last time the franchise made it to the playoffs
The Pistons had no answers for Julius Randle or RJ Barrett. The pair combined 48 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists. When Barrett appears, the Knicks have an offensive dynamic double strike.
The Knicks have won four of their last five and eight of their last 11. Here are three highlights and three observations of New York’s 114-104 victory over Detroit on Thursday night.
Spotlight 1: RJ Barrett Dishing
RJ Barrett drew the best of the season with five assists against the Pistons. He is the top scorer above all, but he also knows how to find his teammates pic.twitter.com/POfMIP66f8
– Danny Small (@ dwsmall8) March 5, 2021
Spotlight 2: Frank Ntilikina Swishing
Frank Ntilikina caught fire from three in the first half. He’s 13-21 (61.9%) deep this season … pic.twitter.com/2cw9KzEy5o
– Danny Small (@ dwsmall8) March 5, 2021
Spotlight 3: Julius Randle Block
This could be one of the Knicks’ best moves of the season. Julius Randle with a weak side block after Pistons had a 4 to 3 break, preventing them from reducing what had been a 20-point deficit to 8 and then an exit for RJ Barrett for the dunk. pic.twitter.com/nE9kkoWKMG
– Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) March 5, 2021
Observation 1: Professional Victory
This was the playoff-time victory. The Knicks asserted themselves early and rejected all Pistons shoves from then on. The Knicks have not won that game so easily and maturely in recent years.
And add the fact that the Knicks were beaten by the San Antonio Spurs two nights ago and this victory is starting to look more and more impressive.
The Knicks are playing basketball in the playoffs when they enter the All-Star range. Knicks fans will finally have significant games to watch in March, April and May.
Observation 2: RJ Barrett Percolating
RJ Barrett is going through all the ups and downs of a typical 20-year-old in the NBA, but now he is at the top of his game. In his last four games, Barrett has averaged 20.3 points in 57/57/72 split shots.
He’s not making a lot of three-point attempts, but he’s doing the ones he’s using. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters about the work Barrett has put into his pitches and the way it helps open the game for himself and others.
“His preparation is giving him a lot of confidence,” Thibodeau explained to reporters on Zoom’s post-game conference call. “[Shooting] it’s something that we want him to continue to do, and he has always had the ability to downhill, put a lot of pressure on the rim. He’s doing good hoop readings, but I think the way he kicked the ball now really opened up a lot for us. “
Observation 3: Frank Ntilikina doing a push
The Knicks’ packed defense court is getting a little more crowded. Frank Ntilikina is making a strong case to maintain his place in the rotation when the team returns from the All-Star break. The Frenchman is making the most of his opportunity after Elfrid Payton lost some time due to an injury and Derrick Rose was detained due to health and safety protocols.
Ntilikina is 13-to-21 beyond the arc after hitting all three attempts on Thursday. The fourth-year point guard scored 22 points from 11 shots in his last two games.
If Ntilikina can continue to space the floor with the three, he does more than enough in defense to ensure a consistent point in the rotation.
