Knicks 111, Nets 107: A clean sweep

Madison Square Garden’s varsity team topped Barclay’s JV with the 2-seed in the East still in play

Now that’s a clean sweep. 

Just 24 hours after the Boston Celtics tried and failed to complete a season sweep of the New York Knicks, the boys in blue and orange finished one of their own against the crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets. And while the game ended up being closer than many expected, the shorthanded Knicks put together a valiant effort to clinch the homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. How did they do it? Let’s dive in.

A Slow Start

The Knicks came out like a team fresh off of an emotional road win the previous night. No words can properly encapsulate just how out of character the home team was out of the blocks. It’s not just that they weren’t hitting shots; it was like they were moving in quicksand, a banged-up car running on the fumes of its fumes’ fumes. Late in the first Cam Thomas hit a 3-pointer to put the Nets up 24-7. That’s right: more than 10 minutes in, the Knicks had just 7 points.

But this team isn’t beloved for nothing. They’ve earned our unwavering trust. And, like clockwork, a flip was switched that saw the Knicks inch closer to the team we know so well. The Nets didn’t stop hitting shots, but the Knicks were at least making their lives a bit more difficult and cut Brooklyn’s large lead in half by halftime, laying the breadcrumbs for what was to follow. 

Opposites Attract

The NBA isn’t what it used to be. There was a time when you could just toss talented players together and expect it to work. The game operated differently and the depth of talent was smaller. You didn’t need to worry (as much) about how players fit together — if someone were good, you tossed him into the mix and figured out the rest later. But now, between analytics, the influx of non-American talent and the NBA being as lucrative as ever, synergy is integral to team-building. 

I bring this up because Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby might just be the most synergistic duo in the entire NBA. There are no two players who more perfectly complement one another on both ends of the court. Brunson, an offensive wizard who operates best with the ball in his hands, has taken strides moving without the ball, although the offense remains at its best when he’s in control. Anunoby is a sniper whose mere existence adds value to the offense. Brunson’s life is easier when Anunoby is standing in the corner because that’s one less defender capable of devoting their full attention to Brunson. But Anunoby isn’t much of a creator himself; most of his 3-pointers (96%) are assisted. For him to thrive offensively, he needs an elite initiator to create advantages for him to capitalize.

On the other side of the ball, while Brunson has good hands, instincts, and effort (second in the NBA in charges drawn), he is a limited defender. The Knicks try their best to hide him, which requires proficiency at the point-of-attack and willing help defenders. Anunoby is a rare specimen who happens to be one of the league’s best on- and off-ball defenders. The Brunson/Anunoby pairing is perfectly reciprocal — neither’s impact requires taking anything off the other’s plate. In fact, if anything they elevate one another.

This was on full display in the third quarter when the Knicks mounted their comeback. The Nets’ best scorer, Cam Thomas, who lit up the Garden in the first half, was held scoreless in the third after Anunoby made him his primary focus. Multiple steals created easy baskets to get OG going in a way he and his team desperately needed after his scoreless first half. Offensively, Brunson danced around the Nets’ defense in a way only he can, creating opportunities for his teammates, including Anunoby. The two combined for 26 in the third and the Knicks were up eight. They held on late after Nets’ coach Kevin Ollie decided to hack Mitchell Robinson and force him to shoot free throws. Robinson responded by making four of six. Brunson added four clutch free throws to seal the victory and walk off the court to a chorus of “MVP” chants. 

I have a hard time believing Robinson free throws will play a huge part when the playoffs begin next weekend. But the synergistic mastery of Brunson and Anunoby certainly will. The Knicks have a chance this year because every time they step on the floor, every player who shares the court with those two is capable of providing maximum impact. You simply cannot build around Brunson any better than Leon Rose has. 

The playoffs are a different test, though. Anunoby and Brunson will be heavily scouted. Their weaknesses as well as their teammates’ will be attacked. Do the Knicks have enough to make some serious noise? One more regular season game and we’ll start to find out. I can’t wait.