The New York Knicks are not collecting many style points during their six-game winning streak, but they don’t seem bothered.
The Knicks will look to continue their impressive month when they visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.
The teams will meet again in the nation’s capital on Monday.
Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and Josh Hart added a season-high 23 points along with 13 rebounds in the Knicks’ 108-85 road victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday.
New York won despite committing 18 turnovers and shooting 4 of 15 (26.7 percent) from 3-point range.
“The special thing about this team is that we can win games when we don’t shoot the ball well or don’t shoot many threes,” Hart said. “(Brunson) can have a bad game, or (Karl-Anthony Towns) can have a bad game, or whoever, but we have enough depth and talent to win games.”
New York has won 16 of its past 20 games overall, including 10 of 12 this month.
The Knicks’ success also has traveled this season. New York is 11-6 away from home, tied for the second-most road wins in the NBA, and has won its past six road games.
After struggling on defense early in the season, New York has climbed the statistical rankings in recent weeks. Forward Mikal Bridges said the team remains focused on incremental changes.
“I think we just look at each other and see if we’re getting better or not. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Bridges said. “I think we took a jump this month.
“Every day we just keep trying to get better. We want to win, that’s the main goal, but sometimes just getting better is what we’re looking for.”
New York has won its past six meetings against Washington, including a 134-106 home victory on Nov. 18. Brunson had 26 points and 11 assists in that contest.
The Wizards recorded their fifth win of the season on Thursday, a 113-110 decision over the visiting Charlotte Hornets. Jordan Poole’s 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve been the man for the moment,” Poole said. “I make big shots all the time. Credit to the coaching staff for putting the ball in my hands.”
Poole had 25 points and Bilal Coulibaly added 20 for Washington, which is last in the Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards had six scorers reach double figures against the Hornets.
“Wasn’t always very pretty for either team, but that’s the way high-level basketball games can go,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said. “Who’s going to grind out the games? Who’s going to dive on the floor? Who’s going to win the loose-ball battles? We made some really key plays down the stretch.”
Washington’s Marvin Bagley III (right knee sprain) will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday, and Kyle Kuzma (left rib strain) will sit out for the 12th straight time. Poole is listed as questionable due to a left hip contusion.
The Wizards would need to find more scoring from players such as Coulibaly, Malcolm Brogdon and Corey Kispert if Poole is unavailable.
In his second season with Washington, Poole is averaging a team-high 21.3 points while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 26 games.
–Field Level Media
