Knicks use clutch shots late to earn gutsy 123-114 win over Trail Blazers

The Knicks won 123-114 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Moda Center.

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– Josh Hart showed no signs of rust in his return after an eight-game absence due to an ankle injury. The forward drilled a 3-pointer on the Knicks’ second possession of the game and hit three of his first four shots for an opening eight points. He played the first 4:08 seconds before being replaced Miles McBride.

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– It wasn’t just Hart, though, as New York got off to a strong offensive start as a team. They shot 54% from the field on the first shot, but on the other end they had to struggle with Portland’s athleticism and, after leading by seven points, at the end of the quarter it was 34 apiece.

The Knicks were a little sloppy, turning the ball over four times, leading to 12 Blazer fastbreak points.

– Hart added four more points in the second quarter, but that was it City of Karl-Anthony who paved the way for the Knicks. The big man had some injury concerns, but enjoyed a stellar first half, producing 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while reeling in seven rebounds, dishing out three assists and blocking two shots.

– Jalen Brunson he had 11 points of his own, OG Anunoby 10 e Mitchel Robinson he chipped six, while McBride had an unusually slow start, missing his first six shots (five threes). New York has struggled to slow down Shaedon Sharpe (14), Deni Avdija (13), and Caleb Love (11) at the other end, but still had a five-point lead at half-time.

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– The Knicks come out of the locker room full of energy, scoring a 7-2 run thanks to Towns and Brunson. The big man drilled his second 3-pointer of the night and Brunson hit a pair of lay-ins to help extend the lead to double digits for the first time in the game early in the second half.

Hart made his presence felt once again, diving to the ground for one of his signature hustle plays to spark a fast break from Brunson.

– However, poor attacking and defending allowed Portland to get back into this match. The lead was cut to five in the fourth quarter, and just minutes into the frame, the Blazers were able to tie things up with a comeback. Robert Williams III slam, then Avdija’s lay-in plus foul gave them the lead.

– Brunson was forced to leave the bench earlier than usual and quickly helped regain the lead. The teams traded buckets before the Knicks knocked down four consecutive clutch buckets to push the lead back to double digits. Anunoby drilled a pair of threes, McBride knocked down his first of the night and Hart had a fast break lay-in.

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Portland cut the deficit back to five, but New York managed to hold on to a much-needed win.

– Hart played 31 minutes after returning from injury. He scored 18 points while shooting 7 of 15 from the field, dished out six assists, pulled down three rebounds, had a pair of steals and a block. New York is now an impressive 20-9 when the 30-year-old forward is in the lineup this season.

Brunson led all scorers with 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists, Anunoby scored 24 points, including two of the game’s biggest three, and seven rebounds, Towns had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Robinson made his presence felt off the bench with 11 rebounds.

New York made just eight free throws that night, compared to Portland’s 25.

Announcement

Game MVP: OG Anunoby

Anunoby’s three helped put it away at the end of a back-and-forth fourth quarter.

Highlights

What’s the next step?

The Knicks continue their road trip with a matchup with the Kings on Wednesday night.

Tip is scheduled for 10pm at Golden 1 Center.