The New York Knicks got off to a fast lead and didn’t look back, coasting to a victory over the Detroit Pistons 125 to 81.
New York snapped a three-game losing streak that could have been deflating.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the players were coming off a major letdown of a performance. But they responded with a three-point barrage, led by Julius Randle and Reggie Bullock’s shooting, while Elfrid Payton and RJ Barrett made plays of their own. They were dominant out the gate, sending the Pistons starters to the bench in just 4 minutes of action. By the time Tom Thibodeau made his first substitutions, the lead was 24 points.
The Knicks let double-digit leads slip in each of their previous losses. They suffered three letdowns in a row, but nobody was letting that happen for a fourth straight night. The starters were brilliant. The bench never let the lead slip. Even the third-stringers came in aggressive for garbage time, helping balloon the lead even further. By the end of the night, Clyde and Breen discussed the biggest margins of victory in Knicks history. It was a much-needed dominant victory; let’s admire their work.
Knicks’ starters make a point early, never let up
Elfrid Payton: Elfrid Payton hit his season-high for assists against the Pistons, making all the difference in his performance. Payton shot the ball poorly, finishing with more attempts than points scored but finishing enough to demand attention. That threat opened up kick-out opportunities and passes to rim runners. He may not have scored well, but Payton’s playmaking and rebounding made up for the less than efficient night. It was a welcome bounce back for a struggling player of late.
Payton picked up 11 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 turnover. He shot 4/12 from the field, 1/4 from three, and 2/4 from the free-throw line. I honestly didn’t hate his three-point attempts in this game. They came in the flow of ball movement, and he was less predictable. His passing and playmaking were what mattered. Payton pushed the pace a bit more and made himself a threat to shoot as much as drive, which helped open the floor. It also helped that everyone shot the ball so well. That was a product of the ball movement.
Elfrid needed a night like this. He’s been the topic of heated discussion among Knicks fans. It was a chance to remind everyone that he can be a difference-maker under the right circumstances. You’d hope that a more diverse approach would lead to a better rhythm on his jumpers if it keeps up. He’s got Derrick Rose pushing for minutes now, so this is the time to step up. Payton gets a 3.5 out of 5 for his impact.
Reggie Bullock: Reggie Bullock shot lights out. That’s the story of his night. He did his usual on defense and the glass. But he took the shooting to another level, taking turns making threes with Julius Randle early and never cooling off. By the end of the night, Bullock hit a final three-pointer to mark a season-high score. He and Randle were the key players in the Knicks’ early run, which they never looked back from.
Bullock shot 8/12 from the field and 6/10 from three over the course of 28 minutes. He scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal over the course of the night. After a streaky first half of the season, Reggie Bullock could argue that he’s been New York’s most consistent player lately. If he’s left open, he’s knocking down the jumper. He grabs rebounds and snags assists off the two-man game with Randle. His defense is reliably the best on the team. All of that held true against the Pistons, just like against everyone else.
Bullock’s only change was in aggression. He found himself open more often and converted. His chemistry with Julius Randle was on full display throughout the blowout first quarter. He spent the rest of the way being a threat any time he was left open. On top of that, all of his typical contributions intact. It turned his normally good game into a great one. Reggie grabs a 4 out of 5.
RJ Barrett: RJ Barrett got to be picky about his shots, with Reggie Bullock providing second option scoring. That allowed for a highly efficient game that included some really nice playmaking. Barrett produced in his usual fashion, constantly attacking the lane with some pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot three’s mixed in. He reduced the forced shots, replacing them with assists or swing passes instead.
Barrett played for 28 minutes, picking up 14 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 turnover. He shot 5/7 from the field, 1/1 from three, and 3/4 from the free-throw line. His game was efficient from top to bottom. RJ’s defense stood out as he created transition opportunities through pokes, digs, and blocks. He had as well-rounded a game as you could ask for.
Without the need to do extra, Barrett really settled in and made every touch productive. He was a consistent threat without needing to force the issue. Even his lone turnover was a miscommunication on a lob that could have easily been assist number 5. The sophomore is a young player asked to be the number two option on a nightly basis. With that demand reduced, he showed a more controlled side without losing much in production.
Julius Randle: As soon as the opening tip went up, Julius Randle put pressure on Detroit. Randle started the night by knocking down three after three and feeding Reggie Bullock for threes between takes. He attacked off the dribble, on jumpers, and in transition. The big man can turn a defensive rebound into fast-break points for himself or others at any time. He still grabbed boards and made some nice passes, but Randle’s unstoppable jumper was the reason to watch.
After 30 minutes of action, Randle closed with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers. He shot 9/16 from the field, 5/9 from three, and 6/7 from the line. The Knicks’ star had arguably his worst game of the season against the Mavs. He bounced back with an exclamation point. Turning 16 attempts into 30 points is no small feat. Putting an opponent away in the first quarter isn’t either.
This was a nice reminder about the force that Randle has been this season. He’s been splitting decent and good performances during the Knicks’ recent struggles. His first half of the season scattered great games along the way. This was one of those great performances. Randle played like a shark smelling blood, and his barrage allowed for the entire starting line-up to get some extra rest.
Nerlens Noel: Nerlens Noel managed to have a good game without attempting a shot in 24 minutes. Noel’s job on the floor is to get boards, block shots, and disrupt his opponents’ offense. The scoring is secondary when he does those things well. In this game, he good on the boards and spectacular as a defensive player. The big man didn’t score, but he didn’t have to.
Noel spent 24 minutes collecting 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. Noel spent most of his time with Bullock and Randle raining from the perimeter, so his lack of attempts inside shouldn’t alarm anyone. He gave the team exactly what it needed, a defensive force in the middle. While Bullock and Randle set the tone for the offense, Noel’s defensive plays helped set the tone for the defense.
This wasn’t a particularly unique performance. Noel is always a good defensive player inside and usually provides just a pinch of interior scoring. He didn’t have to do much offensively this time, but he used the extra energy to be an even better defensive presence. Nerlens had himself a good game even without looking at the rim, a rare accomplishment. Noel gets a 2.5 out of 5.
New York’s second unit gives no relief to the Pistons
Derrick Rose: With no made threes to bolster his production, Derrick Rose took a slightly more reserved role in this one. There were other hot hands, and he seemed content to move the ball. The former Bull had didn’t tally a ton of assists, but that doesn’t mean he was bad. He was a steady and calming presence on the ball. He did a little bit of everything and probably could have done more if the game wasn’t over before the fourth quarter even started.
Rose played 21 minutes and put up 7 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals along the way. He shot 3/6 from the field, 0/3 from three, and 1/2 from the free-throw line. He didn’t pick up a single turnover, and both of his assists were memorable. One was an overhead sling to Taj in the middle, while his other was a nice kick to Kevin Knox as soon as the youngster hit the floor.
The numbers aren’t blowing anyone away, but they’re exactly what New York needed. With a big lead to protect, Derrick Rose kept everyone under control. He let Taj Gibson and Immanuel Quickley lead the way as scorers while probing the defense and moving the ball to advantageous spaces. It was a solid, but reserved game and gets a 2 out of 5 for my impact score.
Immanuel Quickley: Immanuel Quickley had a two-game slide heading into Detroit, but he snapped out of it with savvy play to draw free throws and create for others. The rookie’s long-range shooting to a back seat to attacking inside off the bounce. IQ frequently drew whistles, launched floaters, and actually took a regular lay-up attempt. He flashed playmaking with some nice reads for simple assists. It was a strong game all-around, again cut short because the lead was so big that his night was cut short.
Quickley played 18 minutes, shooting 3/6 from the field, 1/2 from three, and 5/5 from the line. He put up 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds without a turnover. It was a nice reminder that the rookie deserves to get opportunities to run the offense. He’s a developing player as a playmaker and lead ball-handler, but he’s far from a lost cause. The increased ball movement from the entire team gave IQ opportunities to shine on the rock.
The Knicks’ pleasant surprise of a rookie got back on track after a couple of tough games. He seemed to be chasing whistles instead of baiting opponents during that stretch. Quickley was beginning to force the issue with his shot as well, but it seems like someone helped rein the loose play in. IQ took good shots, drew fouls instead of jumping after them, and made smart passes when the shot wasn’t there. He’s still more promising than I think he gets credit for when people discuss the future for the point guard role. IQ gets a 2.5 out of 5 for his game.
Alec Burks: It’s incredibly rare for Alec Burks to have a scoreless game. Part of the goose egg was that his minutes were cut short, but another aspect was that he moved the ball really well. Burks can take on a bit of gunslinging off the dribble in certain circumstances. His quick trigger got him benched late against the Wolves. With the big lead and plenty of excuses to fire away, Burks took on a playmaking role instead.
Burks shot 0/2 from the field, held scoreless in 15 minutes. He contributed 4 assists, 2 boards, 1 block, and 1 turnover in place of his usual scoring. We generally expect Alec Burks to be among the leading scorers, which makes this a deceptive stat-line. Burks gave the offense a boost with his passing, and while we could always use more points, that wasn’t necessary. So just like Nerlens Noel, Burks gets away with his goose egg because he was surrounded by scorers anyway.
I think it’s worth noting again, that the combination of Rose, Burks, and IQ can be clunky because they’re all scorers. That trio is always at risk of becoming too isolation-friendly with ball movement falling to the wayside. Burks may not have scored, but he helped promote better passing and facilitated scoring for his teammates. He didn’t leap off the screen, but he didn’t have to. For that reason, Burks gets a 2.5 out of 5.
Taj Gibson: Even in the blowout, Taj Gibson was on his grind. He was regularly bumping bigs, diving for loose balls, and doing helpful dirty work in the middle. That’s to go with the contributions we’ve seen regularly since his return to the rotation. He was a quality target for passers inside, perfect from the field while sparking chaos with his defense on the other end.
Taj played for 21 minutes, shooting 5/5 for 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. He never let the lead diminish his effort, even in the fourth quarter surrounded by third-string youth. It’s worth noting that RJ continues pick-up assists to Taj. Notable because they’ve formed nice synergy out there.
Gibson is giving the Knicks a quality effort every night. This performance was no different, but that’s also what made it special. The Knicks’ oldest player was diving for a loose ball with a thirty-point lead like he in a tie game against the Nets. I’ve complained about the Knicks getting big leads but not knowing how to keep them; Gibson’s hustle is a nice way to keep everyone locked in and fighting. His leadership this season has been as big as his contributions on the court, both pleasant surprises. Gibson gets a 3 out of 5.
Obi Toppin: This makes two games in a row where Obi Toppin plays aggressively. That might not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference compared to the timid-looking rookie we’d witnessed prior. Toppin didn’t hesitate when he was open, firing away and converting a pair of three’s. He attacked the paint and showed beautiful touch on a finish as he drove past his man. Obi’s athleticism could make plays like that more common if this aggressive approach continues. He’s fast enough to beat power forwards on a straight line, and he jumps higher virtually every player on the floor.
Toppin cracked 16 minutes and notched 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist on 3/8 from the field and 2/4 from three. I especially like that his first made three-pointer came just moments after he’d missed one. The lack of hesitance turned a small moment into something more meaningful. Obi has been too team-oriented, even according to Walt during the broadcast. He’s had a habit of looking to pass without even testing his defenders. But he’s changed that up over the past couple of performances; he’s becoming a threat.
Obi had a promising game for sure, but it wasn’t perfect. He still had some defensive lapses that screamed, “yes, I’m still a rookie.” He missed some open jumpers, but the will to take those shots is a start. Toppin is finally showing signs of development because his mental is getting out of the way. I think he could have some nice performances if this new approach holds. Obi gets a 2 out of 5 for solid impact in short minutes.
The Clean-up Crew: Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Theo Pinson, Norvel Pelle, and Jared Harper all made appearances in garbage time. They each contributed just what you’d expect. Knox went 3/3 from three over 5 minutes. Ntilikina stole the ball and earned free throws on the ensuing fast break. Pelle contributed on the boards, dislocated his finger, stayed in the game, and blocked a dunk attempt right after the ugly injury. Harper and Pinson didn’t clock any highlights but were part of the promising sequence.
Keeping players inspired by getting back to the basics
Tom Thibodeau: With the game in hand before he made a single substitution, it was an easy night for Tom Thibodeau. But his work was cut out for him before tip-off. The young Knicks’ offense had lost its way, and they looked tired in a loss the night before. Thibodeau called out that the team had stopped moving the ball and generally called for a return to team concepts with his post-loss interview. The Knicks seemed to get the message.
The Knicks didn’t look fatigued or deflated. They came out inspired but also controlled. From top to bottom, the entire roster looked to move the ball. Players we normally expect to shoot were picking up multiple assists, and the team as a whole tallied 31 assists. This was a weak opponent. It would have been easy to let up with a lead, but the players never took a break. Not only did New York cruise to victory, but Thibs even found time for his third-stringers.
The lack of challenging decisions doesn’t take away from the way that Thibodeau kept his players mentally locked in. There weren’t game-changing timeouts, but he still deserves credit for having his team show up with fire. The three-game losing streak had the entire fanbase sweating, but this was a great way to bounce back and regain some stability heading into a tough stretch of the schedule. Tom Thibodeau gets a 4 out of 5 for coaching through the victory.
Closing Thoughts
A tough stretch of basketball is about to start. That would be especially daunting if the Knicks had another tough game against Detroit. Even if they squeaked by with a victory, New York would in a worrisome situation. But they left everything on the floor instead, bringing home a victory that can inspire some confidence they’re ready to keep going.
The big tests are the way, and they’ll be picking up in frequency. The Knicks don’t have an opponent to play down to or underestimate. The pressure from here on out is pressure to keep up with talented teams that are fighting for playoff position. Our boys got it together for a bad team, but now it’s time to keep it up against the cream of the crop.
The Nets are next, and Kevin Durant might be rejoining the already formidable foe. It will be the first time these teams meet since Julius Randle got robbed of late-game opportunities to steal a win. Everyone will be showing up motivated and with something to prove. I’m relishing the thought of this battle even with the overwhelming talent that Brooklyn has acquired. I feel like the Knicks play better when they’re underdogs anyway!
Stay tuned knicksfantv.com for the latest Knicks news and rumors throughout the season and as the playoffs approach.
