INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – New coach Tom Thibodeau expects the New York Knicks to play and be physical.
He also knows that a veteran like Austin Rivers can show how his young team is doing.
Rivers gave the thumbs up to all 3 numbers with 3:23 to play and added another clutch basket in the game’s stamp run Saturday night to the Knicks’ lineup in a rare 106-102 win over Indiana.
“I think the joy is huge and it provides us with another guy who can put the ball on the ground,” Thibodeau said. “He can make 3s, he can play defense and I think that’s the way the league is going right now. I think he made some big hits, he made some big plays and he’s still playing. Draw your way through conditioning. “.
Rivers missed New York’s first 4 games with a groin before returning to the lineup on Thursday. Two nights later, it made an impact.
Less than two weeks after the Knicks lost to Indiana for the ninth time in 10 games, with a 14-point lead, Rivers helped them rebound.
No, he is not the most sensible scorer on the team. That honor belonged to RJ Barrett, who had 25 points. And no, Rivers didn’t have a straight double-double moment. This is Julius Randle, who added thirteen points, thirteen rebounds and 8 assists.
But Rivers has been effective and has been eliminated, and his teammates have followed their coach’s calling card. New York topped Indiana 51-32, with the Pacers recording just five offensive rebounds.
“It’s the difference in the game,” Indiana goalkeeper Malcolm Brogdon said. “His ability for him to bounce the ball and be physical on the inside is huge. “
Brogdon led the Pacers with 33 points, the most of his career, but his three blocked Mitchell Robinson with less than a minute remaining, leading to Rivers’ breakaway basket in the decisive 11-0 run. .
Neither man had any taste problems in a game played with typical slowness after the holidays.
But after trailing 51-50 at halftime, the Knicks opened the part of the moment with a 16-5 flurry to regain the lead and extend it to 66-56. And after Justin Holiday tied the score at 82 with a 3 ringing the bell at the end of the third quarter, Randle broke the tie with a 3 to start the fourth.
Then, after Indiana reloaded to take a 96-93 lead, Robinson hit the last inning with a dunk. Rivers followed up with the 3, and his breakaway basket sealed it.
“(Thibodeau) just tells me to pass the game because he knows I don’t really know the sets,” Rivers said. “The simplest thing is to pass the game. “
Tips
Knicks: Barrett enjoys betting at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where he was four of five for 3 in East and 7 of 8 at long distance this season. He is 0 to 21 out of 3 in all other places. Array . . Robinson had 16 problems and nine rebounds.
Pacers: Brogdon 6 of 6 in the area in the first quarter. The rest of his teammates only made 4 baskets in the first period. He finished 7 of 10 on triples. Array . . Domantas Sabonis had his sixth consecutive double-double with thirteen problems and thirteen rebounds. Array . . Myles Turner had 17 problems and one crash. Array . . Indiana 19 of 50 of 3 and forced 15 turnovers.
HOLIDAY START
Pacers goalie Aaron Holiday made his third start to the season and his moment in a row replacing the injured T. J. Garenne.
Warren is indefinitely absent after undergoing surgery on his left foot, which means Aaron Holiday may see a few minutes for the foreseeable future. However, the Pacers want him to play better than Saturday. He missed all six shots, added five triples and didn’t score. He had two rebounds and one assist.
“I think T. J. He’s the most level-headed scorer of all time on the team, ”said Brogdon. So it hurts a lot. “
Following
Knicks: Complete a four-game road trip Monday in Atlanta.
Pacers: Play your road game of the season on Monday in New Orleans.
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