The New York Knicks rolled past the Toronto Raptors by 22 points on Sunday, moving to 10-1 on their home floor at Madison Square Garden. Center Karl-Anthony Towns paced a balanced attack with 22 points and credited the arena crowd for the club’s dominant home stretch.
“Our fans make playing at home so fun, and the support they give us is priceless,” Towns said. “They’ve carried us to the finish line many more times than just at home.”
Hart thriving in expanded role
Veteran wing Josh Hart has delivered his strongest basketball of the season since OG Anunoby went down with a hamstring strain. Over the seven contests leading into Sunday, Hart averaged 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.1 minutes, while shooting 52.1 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three and 78.3 percent at the line.
The 29-year-old followed that stretch with an all-around gem against Toronto, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Two nights earlier versus Milwaukee, he posted 19 points, 15 boards, seven assists and three steals.
“Josh, he’s a baller,” head coach Mike Brown said after Friday’s win over the Bucks. “It doesn’t matter what you throw in front of him—he just goes and balls out. He gets it done in any role you give him.”
Robinson adjusts to second-unit duties
Brown also praised Mitchell Robinson, who has recently shifted to a reserve role. The center supplied six points, seven rebounds and two steals off the bench Friday. “Mitch has given us a great punch off the bench,” Brown noted. “His ability to offensive rebound against starters and backups has been huge for us.”
Brunson enters early MVP conversation
Brown believes point guard Jalen Brunson deserves mention in the early Most Valuable Player discussion. Brunson poured in 37 points on 12-of-21 shooting against Milwaukee, frequently beating double teams while making “the right basketball play,” according to Brown. “He should be talked about right now—as a potential MVP,” the coach said.
New York’s next opportunity to extend its home dominance comes later this week, when the Knicks host the Charlotte Hornets.
Source: Hoops Rumors
