Julius Randle posted another triple-double, but he allowed a big 3 and missed a big 2.
In his first trip to Barclays Center, because his teammates had to keep him from confronting referee Scott Foster after a controversial finish on March 15, Randle scored 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. But, just like last time, the Knicks lost to the understaffed Nets despite their best player having the ball with a chance of a draw.
“I have a great look – something that I practice every day,” Randle said after missing the last shot in a 114-112 loss. “I felt good coming out of my hands and didn’t go in.”
Three weeks ago, the Nets were behind, 115-112, when Randle was called up for a trip. Repeats showed Kyrie Irving losing the ball when Randle raised for a 3. But Randle never lost possession and the referees ruled it was a trip when he came back with the ball. Two teammates prevented him from chasing Foster after the final buzzer, but not turning a chair on the walk back to the locker room.
There was no whistle on Monday, and Randle said that sequence was not fresh in his mind. Just a horn sounded as his 18-foot pull-up on Jeff Green rang off the back edge.
After a time-out, the Knicks pulled up Randle who pretended to be curling outside the arc for Alec Burks’ incoming pass.
“The last piece has three different options and he is clearly the centerpiece,” said coach Tom Thibodeau. He has two other reads he can go to. I thought he had taken a good look at it. “
The Knicks wasted a 13-point lead in the third quarter when Irving scored 40 to lead the comeback. One of Irving’s biggest baskets, to open a 100-94 lead, was a step-back 3 on a behind-the-back dribble that left Randle out of position after a defensive switch.
Three minutes later, Randle and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarroot were called for double technical fouls after getting physical.
“I don’t really know what his problem was,” Randle said. “He’s not a man on the field that I really worry about when I play. He tried to give me a little forearm or whatever, so I knocked his arm off me. “
Four of Randle’s 10 career triple-doubles are in a Knicks uniform, including three in the last 12 games. Only five players – all guards – have more in franchise history. Those stats and small losses don’t really matter.
“It doesn’t affect me,” Randle said. “It’s a win or a loss. There are not really moral victories. “
Randle, playing through a sore thigh, grimaced in pain for the last two minutes. He held on to his right knee after a defensive rebound, but that didn’t stop him from dribbling through his legs on his own and firing at the next belongings from the center. His two free throws narrowed the Knicks deficit to 112-109.
“I’m fine,” Randle said. “No worries.”