At the end of the effort, New York resists Kyle Kuzma (40 points)!

A very good start to the new year continues Knickswho last night Washington They secured their fifth win in six games in 2023 (112-108) and sixth in seven games, including a Dec. 31 win at Houston.

This very controversial meeting logically found its conclusion in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, at the hands of the Knicks. Julius Randle then a Jalen Brunson once again XXL (34 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists on 50% shooting), first behind the arc for the first, then at the free throw line for the second, scored the decisive baskets, preserved two possessions and sealed the victory.

The Wizards, who took control in the first half, lost impulse when he came back from the dressing room, but he didn’t deserve it until the end. Especially after erasing a 15-point deficit in the second half of the fourth quarter, the Knicks came back to take possession after 14-0 at the start of the final drive. Under a very big push Kyle KuzmaThe capital representative, who scored the second best of his career with 40 points, gave it his all, but ultimately fell short in a game that didn’t make much sense.

With the 24th success of the season, “Knicks” strengthened a little more in the 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Notably, at the same time, the Pacers lost to the Hawks, their main rival for this last jump to earn a direct spot in the playoffs.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Without an outside address, the Knicks beat in the paint. The authors of 8/29, weak behind the arc, the Knicks did not panic and went to plan B offensively: attack the Wizards in the paint. A strategy that worked after Tom Thibodeau’s men scored 50 of their 112 points from the field, including 29 for the Jalen Brunson-Julius Randle duo. Writers who scored a total of 28 points in the New York racket, more than the Wizards combined.

– The Knicks travel well. The Knicks, who won 13 of their 21 road games, have the third-best road record in the league. Their record at Madison Square Garden is barely balanced (11-11). Even if that leaves room for a boost at home in the second half of the season, it’s a very good sign overall as the club sit firmly in 6th place in their conference and away wins are key elements of the unit. a place in the playoffs.

TOPS & FLOPS

✅ Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. A great game for the two leaders of the “Knicks”, who scored 57 of their team’s 112 points (34 for the first, 23 for the second). Their relationship in the pick-and-roll was once again the nerve center of the offense and not always inspired by Tom Thibodeau, and their volume in other areas was also crucial for the Knicks (16 rebounds for Randle and 8 rebounds and 8 assists for Brunson). It was they, behind the arc and at the free throw line, who pushed the Wizards back during the final possessions of the game.

✅ Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks wildcard, who replaced RJ Barrett as the sixth man after his midweek return from injury, has been able to maintain a high level of play in recent weeks. A brilliant man defending with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists box account not enough to attribute, the former Kentucky has effectively energized his team’s phases of play on both ends of the field. Knicks MIP this season.

✅ Kyle Kuzma. The Hero of the Wizards’ previous game against the Bulls, “The Fall” continued his momentum by offering the second-best offensive game of his career, 40 points on 14-of-27 shooting and 8-of-9 free throws, not to mention 7. rebounds and 7 assists. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to bring down the stubborn Knicks in “money-time.” But the Wizards winger had his best individual performance of the season in any case, possibly All-Star caliber.

✅⛔️ Kristaps Porzingis. In the season opener against his former team, the Latvian pilot was dreamlike through the first three quarters, finishing with 8 points on 3/14 shooting. Feeding three prize-winning shots in particular, before gaining momentum in the final act the return (released) from Wizards. Defensively, however, it was more disappointing, as KP struggled to protect the rim, while the Knicks continued to penetrate the paint to show their awkwardness behind the arc.

NEXT

– Wizards (18-25): Warriors reception, Monday night (9pm).

– Knicks (24-19): Visit Detroit, Sunday evening (7:00 p.m.).