RJ Barrett scored 32 points and Julius Randle had 30 points to lead NY to the win over Indiana at Madison Square Garden on a Tuesday night. Barrett started off Red Hot in the 1st quarter, and had 24 points at the half. Randle – just back from a 5-day COVID protocol absence — ended the game red hot. The win improved NY’s record to 18-20, tying them with Boston for 4th place in the Atlantic Division.
1. Barrett on Fire
RJ Barrett came out aggressive and bully-balled his way to the basket repeatedly from the start. His ability to penetrate to the hole and go downhill fast, scoring against contact was on full display.
🗣 "RJ BARRETT ERUPTING IN HERE IN THE FIRST QUARTER."
He's got 17 points and counting. pic.twitter.com/ROGXfIuOCr
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
As Ross Kreines observed, “RJ Barrett was in attack mode and putting his defender at his mercy. His ability to knock down his improved jumper now forces his defender to close, so he can then break them off bounce and finish at rim. Also, used his length, athleticism and strength to create and attack mismatches.”
RJ IN HIS BAG 💼 pic.twitter.com/q00M02YFNk
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
Barrett finished with 32 points on 12-20 shooting (2-5 from 3; 6-8 in free throws) for 32 pts, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a +9.
🎳 @RjBarrett6 pic.twitter.com/BJGXag4qxi
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
2. Randle on Fire in the 3rd
Randle was on Fire in the 3rd quarter – hitting two 3’s and making a traditional and-1 3 on a drive. He had 14 points in the quarter to help NY to an 84-77 lead heading into the 4th quarter.
Ju in attack mode ⚡️
⭐️ 1 RT = 1 @J30_RANDLE #NBAAllStar Vote ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/zIyq0chFrn
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
3. Randle, RJ, and Burks Down the Stretch
NY held a 1-point lead with 8 minutes left when Alec Burks hit a big 18 foot step back jumper for a 3-pt lead. Randle’s 20-footer with 6:28 left put NY up by 6.
RJ Barrett hit a huge J with :59 left to put NY up 95-90. Burks hit a floater off a pass from Randle with 3:55 left to put NY up 97-90, and then Randle gave NY a commanding lead with a 20-footer with 3:14 left to put NY up 99-90. A Mitchell Robinson alley oop dunk off a Burks pass with 2:32 left iced it for NY, putting them up 101-90.
Randle finished with 30 points on 12-20 shooting (2-7 from 3; 4-6 in free throws), 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and a +12.
RJ drive ➡️ Julius jam pic.twitter.com/yFNUgA4Yzq
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
4. Knicks Out Rebounded Indiana by Large Margin
The first words out of RJ Barrett’s mouth after the game was that Randle’s rebounding as a big factor in the win. Randle outdid Domantas Sabonis on the boards – 14-8. Mitchell Robinson was back from COVID protocol as well, and pulled down 8 rebounds in 25 minutes, with 8 points on 4-5 shooting. He and Taj Gibson combined for 14 rebounds.
With Randle, Robinson, and Gibson combining for 28 rebounds – NY was able to outrebound Indiana 51-35. And Indiana is a good rebounding team with Sabonis and Myles Turner (only 7 rebounds in 33 minutes).
Etcetera
This game bode well for the Knicks future of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle at the core of a good Knick team. Barrett’s bully moves to the basket, and Randle’s ferocious multi-faceted game of drives, fadeaways, and 3’s were on display all evening, and it was fun to watch.
RJ living around the rim tonight. pic.twitter.com/gnj7Tb4oeC
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2022
Be the first to comment