Toronto won this game from start to finish – the Knicks were never in it. It was an important game for the Knicks going in – as a win would vault them ahead of Boston into 3rd place in the Atlantic Division – which means nothing for the playoffs actually but would’ve looked good. A loss would dump the Knicks into last place behind Toronto – which is exactly where the Knicks landed.
But the Knicks were without key players due to COVID protocol – so the game wasn’t a real measure of anything. Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Nerlens Noel were all out for NY, as was Derrick Rose of course (out 2 months after ankle surgery).
The game was played before an empty arena in Toronto — again due to COVID rules. So it didn’t quite seem like a real NBA game at all.
1. Good Game for Stats
It was a good game for Knick statistics, as they scored 105 points. Had they won 105-85 or something like that everyone would be festive. But they lost 120-105 so the stats were meaningless.
Obi Toppin started at power forward in place of Julius Randle for the 2nd straight game, and this time – tore it up. He had 19 points on 7-12 shooting (1-4 from 3 but importantly, 4-4 from the free throw line), with 6 rebounds and 6 assists in 45 minutes. Toppin is an excellent free throw shooter which bodes well for his 3-pt shooting potential long term.
On a mission in transition. pic.twitter.com/dHdABx33Dv
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 2, 2022
RJ Barrett had a strong game with 19 points on 6-14 shooting (2-5 from 3, and 5-7 from the free throw line).
RJ putting in work down low 💼 pic.twitter.com/9wLki7FRlb
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 2, 2022
Evan Fournier led all Knick scorers with 20 points, also on 6-14 shooting like Barrett, and 4-10 from 3.
Quentin Grimes got 22 minutes off the bench and scored 13 points on 4-7 shooting (2-4 from 3), and Immanuel Quickley had 9 pts on 3-8 shooting.
Alec Burks got 11 pts, and Kevin Knox got 18 minutes and 7 points.
Again, a great game for statistics.
Miles McBride started at the point but was pulled from the game early by Thibs as he was having an uneven performance. He finished with 15 minutes and 1-6 shooting for 2 points.
Taj Gibson started at center and had 5 pts in 30 minutes. NY was outrebounded 44-30.
2. Toronto Buried Knicks in the 3rd
Toronto had an 11 point lead at the half and buried the Knicks in the 3rd. Fred VanVLeet killed them from 3 – he was 11-17 and 7-13 from 3 for 35 points Pascal Siakam poured in 20 points and had 14 rebounds to help Toronto outrebound NY badly.
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