With the last championship team in franchise history in the building, the New York Knicks won their fifth straight game, and suddenly look like the NBA’s biggest sleeper. They beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-106 last Saturday night for their fifth win in their last six games. Forward Julius Randle, in his first game at the Garden since playing in his second All-Star game in three seasons, set the tone from the start nailing four three pointers and scoring 16 points in the opening quarter. He finished with a game high 28 points. This, after he made seven threes and finished with 46 points the previous night in Washington. The much maligned RJ Barrett chipped in with 25 points for the Knicks.
Since December 4th the Knicks had compiled a record of 25-14 which is fifth best in the NBA over that stretch. They are on the verge of surpassing the Brooklyn Nets for the number five seed in the Eastern Conference. It has been 50 years since the Knicks last won a championship and the organization honored the 1972-73 championship team during halftime. If the Knicks continue their inspiring play it may allow their fans to dare dream of another championship team in the near future.
