In a thrilling match on Thursday night, the New York Knicks emerged victorious against the Detroit Pistons, who suffered their franchise-record 16th consecutive loss. Led by an outstanding performance from Jalen Brunson, who scored 42 points, and Julius Randle, who contributed 29 points and 10 rebounds, the Knicks secured a 118-112 win.
The Pistons, with a dismal 2-17 record, completed a winless November, failing to secure a victory since their triumph over the Chicago Bulls on October 28, which left them at 2-1. Despite a valiant effort from Cade Cunningham, who scored 31 points, and Killian Hayes, who chipped in with 23 points, the Pistons were unable to break their losing streak against the Knicks, which now stands at 13 consecutive losses.
RJ Barrett added 15 points to the Knicks’ total, while Donte DiVincenzo’s 12 points, including two crucial 3-pointers down the stretch, proved instrumental in securing the victory. The Knicks have now won their last two games and avoided a potential letdown loss after their recent triumph over the Charlotte Hornets, which propelled them to the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
The game remained tightly contested throughout, with the Knicks and Pistons tied eight times in the third quarter. However, a pivotal alley-oop from Marvin Bagley gave Detroit an 87-85 advantage with just 16 seconds remaining. Nevertheless, DiVincenzo’s back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, within a span of 45 seconds, propelled the Knicks ahead, establishing a 109-103 lead.
Despite a valiant effort from the Pistons, Cunningham’s free throw only managed to cut the deficit to 111-106 after the replay center ruled against a Knicks coach’s challenge. Randle then stepped up for the Knicks, making two consecutive baskets to extend their lead to 115-106 with just 1:13 remaining in the game.
Brunson’s exceptional performance in the opening period set the tone for the Knicks’ victory, as he scored 16 points, shooting 5 for 8 from the field, including an impressive 3 for 4 from beyond the arc. The Pistons found themselves trailing by 16 points at the start of the second quarter but managed to close out the half with back-to-back 3-pointers from Cunningham, leveling the score at 54-all.
This victory for the Knicks highlights their resilience and ability to come out on top in closely contested matches. Despite the Pistons’ valiant efforts, the Knicks’ strong performance, led by Brunson and Randle, proved to be the deciding factor in securing the win.
As the Pistons continue their search for a much-needed victory, they will look to break their losing streak and regain their winning form. Meanwhile, the Knicks will aim to build on their recent successes and continue their positive momentum as they strive for further victories in the upcoming games.
Source: The Manila Times
