They faced each other last week, in Arizona, and they are the Suns who had imposed themselves. They met again last night, at Madison Square Garden, and they are still the Suns which are essential in the face of Knicks (106-99).
Without Jalen Brunson or Josh Hart, New York conceded its third defeat in a row, despite Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 11 rebounds), Miles McBride (23 points) or AND Anunoby (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals).
In front, Devin Booker (27 points) stood out the most for his return match, after missing the last one due to ankle discomfort. He was able to be supported by five teammates also in “double figure” and Phoenix therefore takes the opportunity to end his series of defeats.
An 11-2 and everything changes
It wasn’t really the best match of the season, with a lot of waste on the shoot or with the ball and also many mistakes (leading to throws), but it at least had the merit of being close. Eight minutes from the end, there was still a tie (87-87) and the two teams had, overall, not let go of the score for long. Each responding to the “run” of the other.
But at 87 all, the Suns gave the boost that would be fatal to the Knicks. An 11-2 helped the visitors make the difference, led by Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Mark Williams then Royce O’Neale, at 3-points, near the circle and on shots.
Meanwhile, the New York players lined up the failures from afar, Karl-Anthony Towns being whistled by the room after an ugly “airball”, and this clumsiness was costly at the finish (106-99).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Devin Booker returns to the field, Phoenix wins. After two defeats in a row, the Suns are moving forward by dominating the Knicks for the second time in two matches (getting closer, in the process, to the Rockets/Lakers and therefore to the Top 6). Absent in Detroit because of his ankle, Devin Booker resumed and guided his team to victory. In particular showing aggressiveness to get his points, even when his shots did not go in, with important free throws at the end, in addition to his “and-one” during the 11-2 which changed everything. A return that feels good, even if his absence was short.
– New York still struggling. Beaten eight times in their last ten matches, the Knicks are going through a real zone of turbulence, moving away from 2nd place to the Celtics and now finding themselves under threat from their pursuers (Raptors, Magic, Cavaliers, Sixers). Without Jalen Brunson or Josh Hart, they sorely lacked inspiration in attack in the last act, stubbornly sticking to 3-pointers instead of varying by going mid-distance or in the paint. The reception of the Mavericks then the Nets should help to revive, while the return of Jalen Brunson would better arrive quickly…
– New York legends in the spotlight. Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Jerry Lucas, Carmelo Anthony and even Bob McAdoo: there was something beautiful at Madison Square Garden last night, since the Knicks had decided to pay tribute to their legends at halftime of the match. This will not have brought luck to the current players, but it was nice to see some illustrious faces of the franchise and the league again.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
