After a convincing success (112-99) last night at home once morest the Kings, the residents of Madison Square Garden are now on a series of four wins in a row, their best so far in the current season. The upcoming calendar does not look easy, but not indigestible either, as they occupy eighth place in the Eastern Conference this morning, with a record (14-13) identical to that of the Hawks (well, well) ranked them in sixth place directly qualifying for the postseason.
Will we still see the Knicks on the court next April? In an Eastern Conference of a rare density where the expected big names mingle (Celtics, Bucks, Cavs, Nets, Sixers), a few surprise teams (Pacers, Wizards) and strongholds underperforming but not to be buried (Heat, Raptors), nothing is less certain. Nevertheless, the Big Apple players are giving themselves the means to achieve this, two years following their last participation in the Playoffs at the end of a memorable season concluded by an equally memorable knockout inflicted by a band of raptors from Georgia and conducted by an air conditioning technician. Led by a Julius Randle who is still just as effective at putting the ball in the basket (22 points on average this season, 5 games at 30 points or more), but above all much better off than last season, the New York franchise has also was reinforced this summer by the arrival of its first clean point guard since Jeremy Lin, in the person of Jalen Brunson. RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson continue for their part to do RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, for the worse but also for the better. So, is the city that never sleeps at least starting to dream once more?
Thanks to this great series in progress, our Knicks go back to 8th place in the East, but above all now have a positive balance sheet.
On the program this week:
-Thursday at 1:30 a.m.: vs. Bulls
-Saturday at 2 a.m.: @ Bulls
-Sunday at 11 p.m.: @ Pacers pic.twitter.com/eCHcbRfxow— New York Knicks France (14-13) (@NY_Knicks_Fr) December 12, 2022
Indeed, if the current dynamic is very encouraging for the Knicks, the next few weeks are likely to be revealing of what Tom Thibodeau’s players have in their stomachs. Because failing to face the very big teams of the moment, it is ultimately several rather serious teams that will stand in their way at the end of the year. On the program, three confrontations once morest the Bulls (including two on the road), but also trips to Indianapolis and Dallas, as well as the receptions of the Raptors, the Warriors and especially the Sixers for Christmas Day, during which Joel Embiid might well turn into Father bogeyman for the MSG audience. Fortunately, the Rockets and Spurs will be there to allow Isaiah Hartenstein’s teammates to end 2022 smoothly. Important information however, Jalen Brunson, injured in the victory once morest the Kings, would probably suffer from a sprained ankle and is uncertain for the next meetings.
The upcoming games promise to be decisive for the Knicks’ season. The opportunity for the New York franchise to confirm its good form at the moment, as well as for Julius Randle to demonstrate that he is indeed a franchise player for a team playing in the Playoffs (why are you laughing?).
