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Representative defense is often a critical part of NBA success and a distinct quality that should translate into whether games are played at home or on the road.
As the Knicks have learned more than once this season, it’s nearly impossible to cover up a bad night on the set on the other end.
Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks had fallen back to the defensive end with a three-game winning streak to mostly undo the losing skid from five previous games, but they slipped under .500 for the season with a frustrating 103-94 loss. Friday against the Kings in Sacramento. , California
Julius Randle had 26 points with 15 rebounds despite consistent double teams, but the Knicks (8-9) ultimately couldn’t get over a 5-for-22-to-3-point shooting night or 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. . , failing to build on Thursday’s strong defensive victory at Golden State with a second straight win to open a four-game trip to the West.
“From the middle of the first quarter to the second quarter, I thought we played well. The third quarter started well, but we got stuck and obviously didn’t finish well, ”said Thibodeau. “They were swarming and we obviously weren’t kicking. And when you don’t make plans, it sometimes gets difficult. I liked the fight, but obviously we’d like to close it better than we did.
De’Aaron Fox scored 22 points, Harrison Barnes had 21 and impressive rookie point guard Tyrese Haliburton – the 12th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, four picks after the Knicks grabbed Obi Toppin – contributed 16 points, four blocks and two interceptions in 31 minutes on the bench as the Kings stopped their four-game losing streak.
The Knicks were just 3 for 18 from long distance three quarters and trailed 76-72 in the final 12 minutes. A 3 from Glenn Robinson III and a jumper from Cory Joseph just four minutes after the start of the fourth bolstered Sacramento’s lead to a record 12, 86-74.
A 3-point pointer by Alec Burks and a three-point converted play by Randle created a 13-3 run and got the Knicks back in less than two at 4.30am left. But Haliburton’s 3 with 2:35 remaining highlighted a 7-0 run in Sacramento to rebuild the lead to 96-87.
“We will always do this. We will always try to fight to the end no matter what, ”said RJ Barrett. “Most certainly, we haven’t done anything yet. I think we’re still trying to learn and figure out how to win and as a team we bring it to the table every night.
Barrett finished with 21 points on an 8-for-17 shot one night after posting a career-high 28 against the Warriors, while Mitchell Robinson contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Toppin had six in 12 minutes for the Knicks, whose trip continues Sunday night in Portland before ending Tuesday in Utah.
The Knicks entered the game No. 1 in the NBA with the fewest points allowed (102.8 per game), while keeping opponents at the lowest field goal percentage (43.0%) and 3 points. (30.7%).
The Luke Walton Kings, meanwhile, have allowed the most points in the league – 123.0 per game – in their first 15 games. But they recorded 14 blocked shots, a season-high, including six from center Richaun Holmes.
The Knicks’ intensity appeared to slow, however, after carrying a 54-49 lead in the third quarter. Barnes’ layup and 3-point Buddy Hield mid-period helped the Kings regain the lead, 68-67, and carry a four-point cushion in the fourth.
“It wasn’t the usual high energy [in the third quarter]”Said Thibodeau. “Sometimes when you’re back to back you have to fight through these things. I liked the fight in the fourth quarter, but we didn’t close it.
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