Knicks Have Started To Heat Up As Julius Randle Keeps ‘cooking

Julius Randle has been cooking lately, according to R.J. Barrett, and the Knicks suddenly heated up.

Randle averaged 27.2 points over his last six games, including three 30-plus games and a career-high 36 points on his 28th birthday in Detroit on November 29.

The 2021 All-Star Game scored over 30 points in Wednesday's home win over the Falcons (34) and Friday's win over the Charlotte (33). The Knicks went 4-2 in that stretch, recording a three-game winning streak for the second time this season.

"Be aggressive, take what the defense gives me and play with confidence," Randle said after Friday's victory. “It's a lot of fun, everyone is excited. The energy is there, it's contagious."

Randle rightly credits the team's defensive efforts, coupled with the wide role played by backstops Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride, as "why we win games." The Knicks limited their last three opponents to 20.6% (20-97) of a 3-point range.

“All year long we had no problem scoring goals,” Randle added, “but the more we defend and play like that, the more chances we have to win and score goals.”

Careful

As of Friday, the Knicks were 13th in the NBA with 113.9 points per game, with Randle (22.1), Jalen Brunson (20.2) and Barrett (18.5) bringing in 53.4. % of this result.

Thibodeau said Randle had a "tough game" against the Falcons on Wednesday, in which he also grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds, and Coach Kix used the same phrase after Friday's victory.

“He cooks. We want him to keep cooking,” said Barrett, a Randle resident who scored 26 points against the Hornets.

Thibodeau added that the starter has had "good pace" lately, noting that he hit the free throw line with 11-for-14 on Friday night and "showed relief" for the remainder of the game. team.

“He had a show (Friday night) where he was at the plate, he beat everyone on the floor, he got everyone involved, I think Quentin got a 3 from him. And no stats other than helping them build momentum. team,” said Thibodeau, “he played that way many times.

“When he lines up in two teams, he takes the ball, walks away from him, pulls the ball. His all-round play is very good."

After losing 145–135 to the Thunder on November 21, the Knicks posted a 7–6 record. That includes a 3-2 trip to the West, close losses to Portland, Memphis and Milwaukee, and the current three wins in a row.

"Yes, stable. That's what we're aiming for," Thibodeau said. "There will be ups and downs. Sometimes you can look at the game and try to figure it out. You can look at the stats, look at the numbers, and they mean nothing. I know that people are spinning the numbers again and haven't seen any of the movies.When you watch it in its entirety, you get the context of what's going on during the game and what's going on in the game.

“Sometimes you just have to make a good shot and we miss. As for us, I want my focus to be on daily improvement. How are we today? How can we improve the team? If we have a team to take on this, we will win our share of the game.