These Knicks will make sure you get your money’s worth watching them.
That’s the one takeaway which sticks out from their 138-134 victory over the Boston Celtics, Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
This game took two overtimes to decide and deserves its place on the instant classic list.
It was that great of a ballgame, a fun watch from start to finish.
The Garden was rocking again with that familiar sound we were briefly re-introduced to last season before Trae Young turned out the lights.
Yes, the Knicks should’ve won this game in regulation. Boston’s Jaylen Brown went off for 46 points after overcoming COVID-19. Brown spent most of the last 10 days in quarantine. He knocked down eight of 14 from long distance.
New York’s three-point defense was atrocious. The three Marcus Smart drained at the buzzer to send the game into overtime was the result of a breakdown by the defense. There were too many of those in this game for head coach Tom Thibodeau to possibly be pleased with.
This was a game, two years ago the Knicks find a way to lose. I don’t know one fan who’d disagree with that thought.
But as we began to understand last season, this is a resilient group.
Julius Randle scored 35 points, when the Knicks needed him to answer the bell, he was ready all night. The Knicks have themselves a star player, still hungry for more.
And it’s not just Randle.
Newcomers Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker give the team an offensive upgrade sorely needed last year in the playoffs. Fournier nailed four 3-pointers in both overtimes, he finished with 32 points – an impressive debut.
RJ Barrett looked lost in the first half of this ballgame. But the third-year guard responded with a 19-point effort after halftime. Moreover, Barret’s superb defense on Jayson Tatum shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Obi Toppin posted a career-high 14 points and continues to answer any questions fans have about his role. The Knicks have themselves a high-flyer who thrives on the fast break. Toppin, however, has more to his game and with increased playing time looks primed to take the next step in his progression.
The Knicks are better offensively than last year’s 41-win team which made the playoffs. They have a healthy blend of experience, youth, and continuity.
They have enough this season to up that win total to at least 45 wins. It won’t be pretty; this team isn’t built that way under Thibodeau.
If opening night was any indication of what’s ahead for this season, fans will need another re-up on Alka-Seltzer. But it’ll be worth it.
