Knicks outshine Wizards, 126-106, for eighth straight win

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The Knicks will enter the new year with plenty to celebrate, as they extended their win streak to eight games with a 126-106 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night at Capital One Arena.

Here are the takeaways…

— With a team-record 78 points in the paint against the Wizards on Saturday, the Knicks wisely maintained an aggressive approach to the basket. Of their 27 first-quarter points, almost half (14) came from inside the key. But the Wizards were able to match the attack through 12 minutes, as they tallied more paint points (16) and held a 30-27 lead. The Knicks also shot a putrid 1-of-11 from three and went four-plus minutes without a field goal.

Josh Hart immediately helped boost the Knicks’ three-point percentage in the second quarter, nailing three straight shots from behind the arc in a quick 61-second stretch. He was also dangerous in the open floor, as he racked up 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with six rebounds in the period. It was the most points Hart’s ever scored in one quarter with the team.

— While the Knicks’ first-half lead reached seven points, the Wizards didn’t let up. Both teams continued to trade buckets, and New York’s 59-57 halftime lead was nearly identical to its closely contested first half against Washington two days ago (60-60 score). The Knicks allowed Jonas Valanciunas to score 16 points by the break and were outscored a disconcerting 28-3 in first-half bench points.

— New York still couldn’t get more than an arm’s length away from Washington in the third. Despite the back-and-forth pace, the overall rhythm was peculiar and the defensive efforts appeared lackadaisical. But the quarter ended on a high note for the Knicks, as they extended their lead to nine, finished on a 13-5 run, and ultimately flexed their muscles.

— The Knicks finally pushed their lead to double-digits early in the fourth quarter, with two-way contributions from Deuce McBride off the bench. By the midway point, they held a comfortable 15-point lead and didn’t allow the Wizards to force a comeback. While Towns shot a pair of free throws, the crowd in D.C. produced a loud “Let’s Go Knicks”…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-outshine-wizards-126-106-023438196.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-12-31 02:34:00

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