Magical Season For Brunson
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Jalen Brunson had his 11th 40-point game of the season, Donte DiVincenzo added 25 points, including five 3-pointers, and Josh Hart added 12 points with 10 total rebounds in their last game of the regular season. New York fell behind after halftime, but made more shots in the fourth quarter to reach overtime.
“Do the things that we have to do to get back in position to win the game,” Coach Tom Thibodeau said he told the team when they were down at the end of the third quarter. He told them to stay with it. “Thats what you love about these guys,” he continued. “They’re going to keep fighting. They’re not going to throw the towel in.”
New York took an early lead and was ahead of Chicago 29-28 at the end of the first quarter and led 50-47 at halftime. The Knicks trailed 82-76 at the end of the third quarter. They were outscored by the Bulls 35-26 in the quarter.
The Knicks fell further behind in the fourth quarter. They trailed by eight points twice, the most they lagged in the game. However, New York had begun a turnaround after a timeout when they were behind 88-81 with 9:37 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Following the brief break a free throw and a 3-pointer by OG Anunoby brought the score to 90-85. Next a 3-pointer and then a pull-up shot by Miles McBride narrowed the gap to 94-90. Bogdanovich next made a 3-pointer and DiVincenzo tied the score at 96 with a 3-pointer. New York made 55.6% of their attempted field goals and 25% of their 3-pointers in the third quarter. They made 57.1% of their attempted field goals and 55.6% of their 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Both teams played competitively in overtime, but New York outscored Chicago 11-10.
DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 30 points and Nikola Vucevic added 29 points.
“Obviously they [the Knicks] are playing for something,” said Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan about the game. “I felt like this was a good opportunity for us, and as I mentioned before the game, the guys wanted to play and there were a lot of good things we can take away from this game.”
New York moved ahead knowing they would face either the Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs following the Play-in Tournament.
It is the first time that the New York Knicks have clinched the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2013.
