The New York Knicks split a pair of games against the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets in consecutive nights. The Knicks started the back-to-back with a loss to the Celtics, 109-101. But they bounced back to defeat the Hornets 119-104.
In Boston, the Knicks had as up-and-down an experience as we’ve seen all season. They played picture-perfect ball for most of the first quarter, but let up and played sloppily in the second and third quarters. The Celtics outscored New York by 29 points during those two quarters, and a late comeback attempt fell short.
The Hornets game felt like deja vu in the first half. The Knicks leapt out to a 20-point lead at the start of the game, only to have Charlotte cut that lead to six by halftime. But New York steadied the ship with strong defense in the third quarter. LaMelo Ball made a final push at a comeback, but a three-pointer from Deuce McBride and an and-one by Jalen Brunson put the game away.
The up-and-down performances from New York made it an interesting series, so let’s have a closer look.
