The New York Knicks have equalized the series against the Atlanta Hawks and won Game 2 with 101: 92. It was the first playoff win since 2013. With 15 points, the Knickerbockers were behind in the third quarter before the turnaround succeeded, thanks in particular to Derrick Rose and the outstanding bench.
New York Knicks (4) – Atlanta Hawks (5) 101:92 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 1-1
At 32:18, the third section went to the hosts, who were still freezing in the first half and only converted 29.2 percent from the field (2/12 3FG). But Rose (26 points, 9/21 FG) and the previously weak Julius Randle (15, 5/16 FG, 12 rebounds, 4 turnover) subsequently played strongly, as did Reggie Bullock (15, 4/7 FG), RJBarrett (13, 5/14 FG) or Taj Gibson (6 and 7) had good scenes.
The three-way quota of 36.4 percent (12/33 FG) was finally passable. Rose’s reservists contributed more than half with 55 points, while the starters Elfrid Payton (1, 0/2 FG) and Nerlens Noel (2, 5 rebounds) were not a factor. The decisive factor was the superiority in the zone, 13 offensive rebounds were also reflected on the scoreboard (42:28 points).
With the Hawks, Trae Young had another good day after 32 points in Game 1 (30, 11/20 FG, 7 assists), but he did not receive constant support, neither from Bogdan Bogdanovic (18, 2/13 3FG), De ‘ Andre Hunter (18, 3/10 FG) still from Danilo Gallinari (6, 2/9 3FG). As a team, Atlanta got 27.3 percent from a distance (12/44). Clint Capela cleaned up properly under the baskets, next to 5 blocks he grabbed 12 rebounds.
The game started without any changes in the starting line-up, Before the tip-off, Randle was awarded the Most Improved Player Award. Young silenced the boos at Madison Square Garden with a threesome. The next 6 points belonged to Barrett before the guests took control and quickly pocketed 4 threes (13-0 run). Randle didn’t have a single point after a quarter, Gallinari already 11. Important impulses were provided by Sixth Man Rose, the gap was 7 points.
Knicks turn the game – the garden trembles
The match wasn’t nice to watch up to this point, the Knicks had scored half of their points on the free throw line. But as usual, they showed a strong mentality and were back after a 7-0 run, Young’s three-point ended the run. Rose and Bogdanovic fought a personal duel before Young successfully pulled the trigger from far away and added a crazy reverse layup. 57:44 Hawks at halftime.
With a three, Randle set the tone for the third quarter, Rose, who started the half for Payton, followed suit. It got heated, Noel received a Flagrant One. For a short time the Haws seemed to regain control, then the show of Randle (11 points in the quarter) and Rose (10) followed. 7 three of the Knicks found the target in the section, Bullock completed a 14-2 run that equalized the game. The garden shook, with a brief tour we went into the last quarter.
A burks threesome and a toppin dunk (Mama Toppin shed tears) increased to +6, the Knicks had already scored 45 bank points. After an open goal from Gallinari from a distance, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau immediately took the time-out, his team thanked him with a 7-0 run. Young returned and immediately made his mark in the form of a 9-0 run.
The game turned into an intense and exciting home straight, much remained fragmentary, Bullock brought the Knicks with a three with 5 points in the front. Bogdanovic and Hunter missed the answer three times, Taj Gibson added a dunk. Even threes from Young and again Bogdanovic did not find the target. After a floater from Randle, the first Knicks win with a score of 100: 91 was perfect. The Hawks only scored one point (0/8 FG) in the final five minutes.
Knicks vs. Hawks: The games of the series – Stand: 1: 1
| game | date | Time | Home | Away | Results |
| 1 | 24. May | 1 O ‘clock | Knicks | Hawks | 105:107 |
| 2 | 27. May | 1:30 | Knicks | Hawks | 101:92 |
| 3 | 29. May | 1 O ‘clock | Hawks | Knicks | |
| 4 | 30. May | 19 o’clock | Hawks | Knicks | |
| 5* | 3. June | 1:30 | Knicks | Hawks | |
| 6* | 5. June | tba | Hawks | Knicks | |
| 7* | 7. June | tba | Knicks | Hawks |
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