The Knicks looked to extend their winning streak to five games last night (Wednesday) when they squared off with the Chicago Bulls in the first game of two straight in Chicago. They will play the Bulls again tomorrow and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday before returning to the Garden next Tuesday to meet the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
The Knicks had won four in a row to move up to No. 6 in the Eastern Conference standings. They were 14-13, one game behind the No. 5 Philadelphia 76ers (15-12) and two games below the No. 4 Brooklyn Nets (17-12) before the league’s slate of games last night. It was the Knicks’ longest stretch of consecutive wins thus far. They won three straight the first week of the season after losing their opener.
In wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers (92-81), Atlanta Hawks (113-89), Charlotte Hornets (121-102) and Sacramento Kings (112-99) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, the Knicks displayed increased intensity and execution on defense. They held three of the opponents under 100 points. By the eye-test, it was their best duration of sustained defensive efficiency this season.
“The defense is gelling all together,” said Knicks guard RJ Barrett after the win over the Kings. Barrett had team highs of 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. “We’re playing hard and we’re giving effort. Getting rebounds. It’s not one particular thing, just a lot of different things gelling together.”
The Knicks were led in victory by forward Julius Randle, who had all 27 points by halftime before being ejected after being assessed two technical fouls for arguing non-calls at 3:35 of the third quarter.
“It’s an emotional game,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “When he got the first one we have to do a better job and get him to walk away. I get the frustration. It was a physical game and he got hammered on the play. But he had a great game going and we can’t let him get distracted.”
Randle has been on an offensive tear beginning in late November. He had averaged 25.2 points over his 10 prior games before playing the Bulls, including a season-high 36 versus the Pistons on Nov. 29, the same day as his 28th birthday. Randle’s cumulative numbers were at 22.8 points on 46.1% shooting and 8.7 rebounds.
Following the Warriors, the Knicks will play three more at MSG against the Toronto Raptors (next Wednesday), the Bulls (Dec. 23) and Christmas Day matinee (12 p.m. tip-off) versus the 76ers.