Knicks D Holds OKC to 119 Points

It was a great turn around, limiting the Thunder team that lit up the Knicks for 145 points 8 days ago to a mere 119 last night. As predicted, the Thunder was not going to hit 62% from three. SGA was held to 30 on a labored 9 – 22. Quentin Grimes did a good job staying in front of Shai. When Cam Reddish returns Thibs should start both. Giving up 119 points to his team, even with the return of Darius Bazley, isn’t winning defense.

If both Grimes and Reddish start, then RJ Barrett should sit. Julius Randle is a double digit rebounder, and a more aggressive defender. We are told by the talking heads that RJ has broken out of his shooting slump. That was bound to happen. However, his 6 TOs and lack of aggressiveness on D mark Barrett as the better candidate to sit in favor of a Reddish/Grimes defensive five. Of course, this will only happen if RJ doesn’t start due to injury. Knicks management is pushing RJ Barrett as a star.

Jalen Brunson had a very nice offensive game scoring at will in the paint. The Thunder have no shot-blocking big, The Knicks were 40 – 6, 63% from 2 and only 11 – 34, 32% from deep. They also out rebounded OKC 48 – 38.

The Knicks won a ‘should win’ game against an undersized team that couldn’t defend the paint. A win is a win.