The Knicks are out West for four games beginning tonight against the Portland Trailblazers as the Big East Tournament takes place at Madison Square Garden. They will also play the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors on Monday and conclude the eight-day stretch facing the Denver Nuggets next Thursday. It is why Tuesday night’s 106-79 win over the Philadelphia 76ers was critically important in the Eastern Conference battle for playoff seedings.
The Knicks are 38-27 and before last night’s NBA schedule opened were the No. 4 seed in the conference, just one game ahead of the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic (37-28), 1 1/2 games above the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers (37-29), two games in front of the No. 7 seed 76ers (36-29) and led the No. 8 seed Miami Heat (35-29) by only 2 1/2 in the fluid jostling for postseason positioning. The return of forward OG Anunoby on Tuesday is vital to head coach Tom Thibodeau’s ailing rotation going forward. Anunoby had been unavailable for the Knicks’ previous 18 games after injuring his right elbow on January 27 and consequently undergoing surgery. Forward Julius Randle and center Mitch Robinson are still out with the possibility of returning later this month. Randle has been in street clothes since dislocating his right shoulder on January 27 and Robinson last played on December 8. He is working his way back from left ankle surgery.
Anunoby had an immediate effect on the Knicks productivity on both ends of the court. His harassing on-ball defense and patrolling of the passing lanes disrupted the 76ers offense, and was the catalyst for New York’s 26-14 lead to end the first quarter. Anunoby also posted 14 points on 6-11 shooting. But forward Josh Hart’s night exceeded every Knicks performance. He had a remarkable 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, continuing what has been a strong season for the 29-year-old Villanova alum. The Knicks had a complete turnaround from Sunday at the Garden when they scored the lowest point total in the league this season in losing to the 76ers 79-73.
“OG gave us a great lift, first time back after a layoff,” said Thibodeau. “The energy, and the effort plays, the movement, the shooting added a lot to the team. I thought Josh Hart was incredible. His defense, his rebounding, his scoring, his playmaking, everything. Just all-around play.”
After Sunday’s defeat, Hart said the Knicks refocused on what they do best in controlling the game from the outset.
“I think we played to our strengths. Think we played faster, took care of the ball, and rebounded the ball. We cut, we moved, we got good shots. I think that’s just the biggest difference.”
