Streaking
The Knicks look like contenders once again..
Final Score: Knicks 127 - Blazers 97
Record: 30-18
Just as suddenly as that unexpected stretch of poor play arrived earlier this month, it appears to have disappeared, as the red-hot Knicks reeled off their fifth straight victory Friday.
New York jumped on Portland right from the opening tip and never let up last night. They built a 15-point lead by the end of the first quarter and continued to pile on. By the time the final buzzer had sounded, the ‘Bockers had notched yet another 30-point victory.
It was a terrific all-around effort from New York, as the ball moved crisply on the offensive end, and the Knicks newly discovered lock-down defense continues to absolutely stifle opponents.
Blazers forward Deni Avdija entered Friday’s matchup averaging 25.8 points per game (top-15 in the NBA). However, unfortunately for Portland, he spent most of the evening in “OG Jail.” Avdija was limited to just 11 points in the loss.
Per NBA tracking, in the 61 possessions this season in which Anunoby has been the primary defender on the Blazers top gun, Avdija has scored a total of 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting and has committed five turnovers (vs. just two assists).
OG also stayed hot on the offensive end, tallying 24 points (10-of-16 FGs), six rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers. He has snapped out of his winter shooting slump in a big way. Over New York’s last four games, Anunoby is averaging 22.0 points and 2.8 made treys while shooting 64.3% from the floor and 52.4% from behind the arc.
OG’s partner in crime, Mikal Bridges, was also brilliant defensively vs. Portland, busting through screens and getting his hands in passing lanes. Bridges ended the contest with a game-high five deflections and three steals. Josh Hart, who finished with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, was doing Josh Hart things all evening. KAT dominated the glass once again.
The Blazers are the third straight team New York has held to fewer than 100 points. The defensive intensity the Knicks have played with over the past ten days has been incredible. The advanced metrics during this win streak are mind-boggling.
During this stretch, New York ranks first in Net Rating (26.5), first in DefRtg (92.8) and third in Offensive Rating (119.3).
The Knicks average margin of victory during this streak is 26 PPG. It’s the highest average margin of victory during a five-game stretch by any team in the NBA since 2023. And, per Basketball Reference, it’s the first time in franchise history that New York has outscored their opponents by more than 125 points over any five-game span.
