After falling a loose 99-75 on their last visit to Boston, the New York Knicks returned to winning ways by beating the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden 96-111.
RJ Barrett stood out with 31 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 12 of 20 in shooting from the field to obtain the twentieth win of the regular season that places them even 20-21 in the table with the Celtics of Ime Udoka.
The Canadian took center stage in the second half with 17 of his 31 goals in that stretch, including 7 of 11 at the launch.
“Without a doubt it is something very big, but I feel that my work is finally beginning to show,” RJ Barrett admitted to the media. ESPN. «And I feel that my teammates and I are giving everything on the track. So it is not just for me, but to show that the team is playing well, “he added.
His teammate Evan Fournier returned to the courts with 18 points after being absent on the last day due to a contusion to his left thigh. Along with him, Alec Burks had 16, and Mitchell Robinson completed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knicks enter the middle of the regular season having won three of their last four meetings with the aim of clinching play-in spots (they are currently out 11th).
«I think we have a positive mentality because we are playing better. I have confidence and faith in what we can achieve, “said Evan Fournier.
In the Spurs, who had up to six casualties due to COVID-19 infections, DeJounte Murray was their leader with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and center Jakob Poeltl added 12 points, 10 rebounds and 3 passes from basket. The Texans close their road trip with a negative 1-6.
«In general I am very happy with tonight. We have endured. We played very hard for three quarters of a game. Given the circumstances, he couldn’t wait much longer. I wanted more, but it would be foolish to wait any longer, ”Gregg Popovich acknowledged.
Randle, pointed out
Julius Randle was MIP last year and became part of the Best Quintets of the Year; however, his inconsistent performance has ended up making fans impatient Knickerbocker that last night did not hesitate to boo him when he was not going through his best moment of play (airball included).
The power forward finished the game with 2 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists, including a 1 of 7 shooting from the field. But his +16 on the track, the best of all the starters, is especially striking.
Look, Randle is a pro. He will get over it, ”Tom Thibodeau detracted from the matter. “The important thing right now is to focus on your work, on improving, on winning, on beating the rival …”, added the coach.
(Cover photo: Elsa / Getty Images)