Knicks 104, Pelicans 93: “Jal3n!!!”

Entering tonight’s game, the New York Knicks (18-10) had won two straight games, while the New Orleans Pelicans (5-24) had lost five straight. The visitors were heavy favorites at the Smoothie King Center, but we underestimated how desperately the short-handed Birds wanted their sixth win.

New York showed strong ball movement, but an early advantage was quickly erased by turnovers and effective Pelican defense, resulting in a tie at the end of the first quarter. Despite falling behind and shooting poorly, the Knicks overcame a 13-point deficit to trail by four at halftime. In the second half, Jalen Brunson took over the game, burning from deep to overcome an early 13-point deficit and take a lead at the end of the third quarter. Despite some back and forth in the final quarter, New York maintained control to close it out, 104-93.

Quoth foiegrastyle: “Jal3n!!!” It could be my new computer password. Brunson set a season high with 39 points, 29 of which came after halftime. In addition, he dished six dimes and shot 13-of-19 from the field, 7-of-10 from deep.

Mikal Bridges also deserves a gold star with 20 points and two steals and 7-of-16 in his 45 minutes. AND Anunoby and Josh Hart combined for 30 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Rounding out the starters, Karl-Anthony Towns played just 27 minutes due to foul trouble, but still managed an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Off the bench, Jericho Sims was a net positive off the bench, clearing eight boards.

For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III scored 26 points, Herb Jones logged three steals and Dejounte Murray scored 14 points and nine rebounds. Their defense was legit tonight and if they had just one or two more players available this game could have gone the other way.

First half

Great ball movement paid off quickly for New York in the Crescent City. Josh Hart, who played 153 games as a Pelican, missed Thursday’s festivities in Minnesota due to personal reasons, but ran early tonight and made his first three shots. Despite poor shooting, the Pelicans were able to compete with their betters thanks to a fierce defense, Yves Missi secured offensive boards (they are sixth in the league there), and the team steals five steals (also sixth in that department).

Sloppy play, including six turnovers, cost New York a five-point lead and allowed the hapless home team to jump ahead by six. Thanks to the Knicks’ 9-3 run to end the quarter, the score was tied at 28 to start the second.

NOLA’s Brandon Boston tied the team with 13 points in the Dec. 1 game against the Knicks. To start the second quarter, he started a 17-7 run that left the Knicks scratching their heads. The poor-shooting Pelicans had somehow sunk six of their first 11 three-point attempts, three of which came from Jordan Hawkins off the bench. Coach Willie Green’s team met the Knicks’ offense with a zone defense that proved effective — and their own offense certainly didn’t look like a five-win team.

After trailing by 15, New York benefited from NOLA’s shooting slump (Dejounte Murray went five of six) to cut the deficit to four with four minutes left in the half. The captain as cooking on his way to 10 points in the first half:

Herb Jones and the Pelicans’ length plagued New York into even more turnovers. In the first half, 12 turnovers cost the Knicks 15 points. It could have been worse. They benefited from Jericho Sims’ leaping ability as he grabbed four rebounds in the final minute. At halftime they were lucky enough to trail 49-45.

The Knicks shot themselves in the collective foot by shooting just 36% from the floor and 29% (6-of-21) from deep. Meanwhile, the Pels made hay on set breaks and by shooting 39% from deep. Trey Murphy III led the home team with 14 points; OG Anunoby had 12 points despite shooting 4-of-12. Three fouls had kept Karl-Anthony Towns on the stick for most of the half.

Second Draft

Coming out of the break, New York committed unforced errors, including turnovers on a carry and a trip. By the time Murphy dunked off an Herb Jones assist after nine minutes, NOLA had outscored New York 11-2 and regained a 13-point lead.

Jalen Brunson had enough of it. Leveraging its dimes and daggers, New York ripped off on a 28-10 run to take a two-point lead with two minutes left. After their ice-cold shooting in the first half, the Knicks made six of seven from deep in Q3 and rode a 78-75 lead into the fourth.

The ‘Bockers started the final frame 12-1. Jericho Sims stayed on the floor and played well while KAT and his three fouls rested on the bench. When Brunson crossed the 30-point mark and Bridges scored another trey, the visitors extended their lead to 14.

With about five minutes remaining, Brunson was rested — he had played the entire second half so far — and Towns returned to action. The Pels scored twice and Thibs sent Jalen right back in. This was a 10-point game with a minute left. A crafty Brunson bucket made it 12 and sealed the deal.

Notes

• Due to an injury, the Pels have fielded 17 different starting lineups this season.
• Tonight marked Zion Williamson’s 23rd missed game of the season.
• In the Dec. 1 game, the Pels shot 2-of-20 from downtown.
• I’m too tired for notes.

Next

Our heroes are headed home to face the Raptors at MSG on Monday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score