The New York Knicks ended a three-game losing streak on a menu consisting of hot shooting and solid defense.
The Knicks might try to cook that recipe again on Wednesday night when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
New York had dropped three straight games and were in the dumps after losing All-Star guard Jalen Brunson to a sprained right ankle.
But all it took was 22-of-40 shooting from 3-point range and limiting the host Kings to 41.9-percent overall shooting during Monday’s 133-104 rout to perk up the mood.
“We turned defense into offense and played fast,” Knicks swingman Josh Hart said. “We got extremely skilled guys, and I think playing fast, especially with (Brunson) out, fits us very well. That’s something that we’re trying to do.”
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 26 points and nine rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 24 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and five steals to pace the Knicks. Miles “Deuce” McBride was 4 of 5 from 3-point range while recording 21 points and seven assists. Hart also made four treys in an 18-point effort.
“We’ve been known for our offense. We’ve been known to have the firepower offensively,” Towns said. “But defensively is something that we have to get together, and we’ve done a great job of heading in the right direction these last three games. But it’s about consistency. We’ve got to do it every night.”
The Knicks played Monday’s game as if they had accepted that they won’t see leading scorer Brunson for a while. He was injured during last Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
McBride, thrust into a bigger role, made 7 of 11 overall shots against Sacramento. In the previous game, he went 2 of 13 in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“We’re not replacing Jalen individually. We can’t,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But we can do it collectively. If we play like that, we’ll have a chance.”
The game in Portland is the fourth of a five-game road trip for New York. It concludes Saturday against the Golden State Warriors.
The Trail Blazers are beginning a seven-game homestand that will decide the fate of their season.
Portland is 12th in the Western Conference, five games behind the 10th-place Dallas Mavericks, who currently hold the final play-in spot. The Trail Blazers are also 2 1/2 games behind the 11th-seeded Phoenix Suns.
Making the situation more problematic is that Portland has dropped its last four games.
The Trail Blazers fell 130-120 to the host Warriors on Monday night despite Deni Avdija’s attempts to carry his team to victory.
Avdija returned from a two-game absence (quadriceps) to record season-highs in both points (34) and rebounds (16) against Golden State.
“He just continues to get better,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “He was a game-time decision. He laid it on the line for sure. I probably overplayed him, but we needed everything that he had. He gave us everything of what he had. He always does.”
Avdija notched his first career triple-double earlier this month when he had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a 133-129 overtime loss to the host Cleveland Cavaliers.
Anfernee Simons also had a big game against the Warriors with 32 points, but the Trail Blazers were often sloppy with the ball, committing 19 turnovers — 16 on Golden State steals.
“Our turnovers cost us,” Billups said. “Seemed like every time we turned it over, they scored every single time. And that’s a little deflating.”
Portland forward Jerami Grant (knee) is doubtful to play on Wednesday. He sat out against the Warriors.
New York has won the last three meetings with Portland and will host the Trail Blazers on March 30 to complete the season series.
–Field Level Media
