Michael Porter Jr. could have played for the Knicks if they had had a minimum of patience with his battered back in that 2018 Draft. However, they preferred to go elsewhere, and in his place would arrive Kevin Knox, who today does not even have a guaranteed foot in the NBA.
For all this there is always an extra motivation before the New Yorkers, and last night he commanded the victory of his team by 113-110 to stop a streak of four consecutive victories by the Knickerbockersthree on their Western tour.
The forward continues like a shot since the break All-Star and the truth is that he had an almost perfect game with 31 points and 8 rebounds seasoned by 13 of 16 in field goals and 3 of 6 in triples.
Porter would be in the best moment of the season, and perhaps of his sporting career, and there could be an explanation for all this: his trip to Cabo that allowed him to recharge his batteries before facing the momentous second section of the course.
«A moment ago I told him: Go to Cabo whenever you want. “I’ll pay you back,” Michael Malone joked to the media. ESPN.
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«Without a doubt, traveling to Cabo was a great break for me. “I needed it,” the player acknowledged.
In his last 15 games he has averaged 21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 48% from three-point range. For their part, the Nuggets do not lose the lead of OKC and in that period they have a magnificent 13-2.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that last night he broke Dale Ellis’ record with 192 triples made in the 1996-97 campaign. His three last night placed him at number one with 193.
MPJ becomes the @nuggets single-season 3PM leader, while Joker tallies his 22nd triple-double of the season in Denver’s win over the Knicks! 🏔️
Porter Jr.: 31 PTS (13-16 FGM), 3 3PM, 8 REB
Jokic: 30 PTS, 14 REB, 11 AST pic.twitter.com/i8uV8B0YO5— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2024
Another who does not lower his level, and who is possibly in the running for his third MVP is Nikola Jokic, who against the Knicks reaped his 22nd triple-double of the season with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for him.
«Right now we are at a great level. The challenge is that with 12 games to go, can we keep this up and stay healthy while doing it? “Our players deserve a lot of credit for their mentality every night,” Malone said.
For their part, nothing to object to for the Knicks who close a road trip with a 4-1, and who will soon return to Madison to play their third derby against the Nets in low hours.
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Tom Thibodeau’s men managed to close the gap by making it 90-88 with just eight minutes remaining. However, the Nuggets’ starters quickly returned and their options ended there. They tried until the final whistle, but they were missing many pieces of the puzzle, such as Robinson, Randle, and especially Anunoby who rested again as a precaution on his right elbow.
«They just made a couple more plays than us tonight. We have played hard. But we just couldn’t get the job done,” Jalen Brunson said.
The aforementioned Brunson was the top exponent of the New Yorkers with 26 points and 9 assists; seconded by Isaiah Hartenstein with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 2 blocks to his credit.
For his part, DiVincenzo added three triples and 11 points, which means he has 219 triples made so far this year, and is very close to the record set by Evan Fournier of 41 total in 2021-22.
(Cover photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
2024-03-22 08:00:00
#Michael #Porter #curb #Knicks
