When Milwaukee (8-12) beat New York (12-6) in October, the Knicks attempted 40 three-pointers, and the Bucks made 14-of-34 from deep. The Wisconsinites shot well back then; they shot even better in the first half tonight, and making 58% from the field and 12-of-22 from deep kept them in control for most of two quarters tonight. The Knicks clawed back behind free throws and paint scoring that briefly gave them a lead before halftime. The Knicks surged ahead in the third and early fourth behind hustle plays, improved shooting, and a cooling of Milwaukee’s attack. New York’s defense fought off a late rally attempt and sealed the gritty win, 118-109.
With the win, New York clinched Group C of the NBA Cup tournament. On to the quarterfinals!
The home team won because Josh Hart (19 points, 15 boards, seven assists, three steals) and Jalen Brunson (37 points, 12-of-21 shooting) completely took over the game. Miles McBride’s five threes were clutch (19 points tonight), and Bridges’ two-way stability (14 points, two steals) helped to lock down the victory. Karl-Anthony Towns managed just nine points, but added 10 boards and four assists in his 36 minutes. Off the bench, Jordan Clarkson made just 2-of-13 but managed to be +9 in his 22 minutes; Tyler Kolek provided steady ball-handing once again; and Mitchell Robinson grabbed seven boards and two steals in 19 minutes.
Before the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo was questionable with a groin strain, but we knew he wouldn’t miss a chance to play at Madison Square Garden. He had an efficient scoring night (28 points, 9-of-13 FG) and 15 boards in limited minutes.
Stan Van Gundy called it Kyle Kuzma’s best game of the year, and he was probably right. Kooz scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting (including 4-of-5 from deep), but those nice stats are marred by a -11. A.J. Green dropped a season-high six three-pointers, and Ryan Rollins cooled off after a strong first half, finishing with 13 points in 41 minutes.
First Half
Don’t be fooled by the record. The Bucks are a dangerous team from behind the arc, with five rotation players averaging 39% or better from deep, so their first-quarter fusillade (8-of-11 to start) and subsequent ten-point lead were no surprise. Milly’s A.J. Green hit 4-of-5 from long (a first-quarter career high), and even though the Knicks fought back to take a one-point advantage, the Bucks outscored them 14-3 over a late three-minute stretch to regain control.
Due to a minutes restriction because of an adductor strain, Giannis played seven minutes of the first frame. Thank the basketball gods for small favors, since the Knicks could do nothing to slow him down.
By the quarter’s conclusion, the visitors had shot 65% from the field and taken 13 three-point attempts to New York’s six tries. It’s not just OG Anunoby’s defense we’re missing—although we really missed his D tonight—it’s those corner threes of his, too. While Milwaukee moved the ball at will to the tune of 11 dimes, the Knicks survived by making all their 14 free-throw attempts. All told, the Knicks were lucky to escape the first frame down just 37-33, thanks to two freebies hit by McBride with 2 seconds left.
Sticking to his recent formula, accounting for the absence of Landry (shoulder) Shamet, Coach Mike Brown subbed in Tyler Kolek to start period two. Plays like this will keep Kolek in the mix:
Across the quarters, the Knicks went on a 13-5 run that cut the differential to two points. Brunson scored seven of those. Soon after, though, the Bucks scored eight unanswered, with three-pointers from the two Garys—Trent, Jr. and Harris. It was time for the Knicks bench to provide some spark, and it came from Mitchell Robinson (two mighty dunks) and Jordan Clarkson (a floater, a few free throws). With a Hart corraling loose balls, Brunson canning a 26-footer, and Bridges scoring five straight, the Knicks were back in the mix, taking a brief lead before Kuzma closed the half with a triple. Halftime score: Bucks 62, Knicks 61.
Through the half, the visitors had hit 58% from the field and 12-of-22 from downtown. They dished 16 dimes and scored 13 points off the Knicks’ turnovers. For the Knicks, making 18-of-22 from the charity stripe, distributing 14 assists, and tough stuff in the paint (26 points there, six offensive boards), kept them competitive. Shooting 44% and making 5-of-13 from yard wasn’t going to cut the mustard, though, with Milwaukee scoring so easily.
Second Half
The Knicks charged into the third quarter, capitalizing on offensive rebounds, Hart’s hustle, and timely threes from Brunson, McBride, and Towns to flip their deficit into a lead. The visitors answered with Giannis getting to the line, A.J. Green drilling another deep ball, and Rollins hitting a three, but New York’s activity on the glass and some nice touches from Bridges pushed them ahead 74–72 at the Bucks’ timeout with 7:41 left.
Around the midway mark, Giannis tried a nine-foot jumper with Mitchell Robinson in his face. No luck. If the Knicks could keep switching Mitch onto him, they seemed to have found an answer to their Giannis problem. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s shooting had cooled ever so slightly, which opened enough of a window for the Knicks to mount a six-point lead.
The Captain was cooking:
Having less luck at the grill: Towns, struggling to score seven points so far on 2-of-6 shooting. You can depend on the big fella for rebounds (eight through three quarters), but it was a very quiet night offensively thus far.
With under two minutes remaining, New York could have padded their lead, but sloppy play (looking at you, Clarkson) and a shot-clock violation allowed the Bucks to grab a lead. Bailing them out, Brunson and Bridges hit back-to-back from the outfield to take a 92-88 lead into the final frame.
To start the last quarter, New York drew first blood with three three-pointers—two by Deuce and one from Kolek. The Garden went into a frenzy, watching their home build a 13-point lead. Giannis returned to the battlefield.
New York missed seven shots and committed three turnovers through the heart of the quarter, but their rivals missed three and also coughed up the rock thrice, so no great consequences. When Kuzma hit from deep with just over six minutes left, a 104-100 Knicks lead was too close for comfort.
After that, KAT whiffed from beyond the arc, and Antetokounmpo dunked to make it a two-point game. New York missed seven shots and had made 4-of-16 by the four-minute mark. Giannis and Kuzma doubled up on Brunson, but the Knicks failed to make hay with a four-on-three advantage.
The Knicks took a four-point lead into the final two minutes, and they slammed the door with defense and just enough shot-making. After Giannis fumbled a possession that Hart stole, Brunson delivered another dagger, a driving floater plus the and-one to push the lead to seven. Milwaukee fired blanks from deep while Hart grabbed even more rebounds, and he calmly knocked down two free throws to make it a nine-point game. No looking back after that!
Hart was everywhere tonight. Give him the game ball.
Old friends RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley return to the Garden on Sunday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.