The famous garden pinwheel ceiling leaked from rain on the roof on Sunday evening, causing a delay of 14 minutes.
And for an unusually long segment of the second half, the Knicks defense also leaked a leak. After rising 18 points at the start of the third quarter, the Knicks couldn’t do anything right as the Raptors made a run of 40-15 and took a five-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter.
But this is the new Knicks, in a new era. Before they could stifle the game, they got up late and survived a brutal and ugly 102-96 decision over Toronto to break through a nine-game streak against the Raptors.
“We found a way at the end,” said Tom Thibodeau. “I like that we have the mental toughness to work our way through and eventually get it out. But I think we can play better than today. “
More importantly, the Knicks have likely secured a spot in the play-in tournament. They advanced six games for the Raptors, who are in 11th place. The top 10 teams qualify for the play-in or for a playoff berth.
The Knicks couldn’t have fared worse offensively in the second half, at one point 15 of the 17 shots missed, frustrated by the Toronto zone. There was no teamwork or flow.
“There’s a tendency when you’re going through that – we’ve got guys who want to do what’s best for the team – but you have to do it collectively and not come out on your own,” Thibodeau said. one goes, it will hurt you. ”
But if you play enough defense – as the Knicks have been doing all season – you can win any game. The Lakers will find out on Monday when they make their one visit.
Center Nerlens Noel took up four blocks. Reggie Bullock has stolen three times. RJ Barrett hit another big 3 and Julius Randle hit clutch-free throws in the closing seconds to bring the Knicks back to .500.
This should have been a lot easier, but the Knicks are not easy to build. Barrett said he was still “excited” about the victory, whatever it looked like.
“What I’ve learned being in the NBA,” Barrett said, “is that it’s a long game. Everything can happen.”
Toronto’s first possession of the night was suppressed by Bullock, who intercepted a pass and slipped in for a lay-up. The final possession of the first quarter ended when Bullock played a doubles team with Pascal Siakam, who ripped the ball and went in for another layup.
The first quarter ended Knicks 24, Raptors 16. Toronto was no longer in Cleveland. The night before, the Raptors had gained 47 first quarter points.
Welcome to Tom Thibodeau’s Garden of Defense.
By half time, the Knicks were 56-42 ahead. The Raptors shot 31 percent. The Knicks made a statement – even though it got a little muddy in the rain in the second half.
Sunday marked the third anniversary of Thibodeau’s Timberwolves breaking a 14-year playoff drought.
Ironically, the Wolves’ star rookie and number 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards probably wouldn’t mind playing for Thibodeau, judging by his comments Friday about the Knicks defense.
Edwards, the rookie favorite of the year, was asked how the Wolves can become a better defensive team.
Unsolicited, he sounded like a sage quoting Thibodeau’s Knicks and showering them with praise. The defensive stats show the big progress, but it’s more important to hear Edwards – without prejudice – praising the Knicks as he did.
“If you make an effort, you will have a great defense,” said Edwards. ‘If you look at New York night and night, they don’t have great defenders. Whatever their defensive game plan, that’s great. They always play a great defense as a team. I love to watch them defend. I feel they are the best defensive team in the league. They play hard. They take you out of your stuff and put pressure on you. “
Even during the Knicks’ recent 1-5 slide, no one gave a fault in their defense. In those five losses, the Knicks allowed only 102 points per game.
Thibodeau may never win one of those NBA coach-of-the-month awards, but it’s not that March’s winner Nate McMillan of glowing Atlanta is mentioned on “Saturday Night Live” – like Thibodeau this weekend was. To be fair, SNL cast members have been in the celebrity line over the years, but this wasn’t a payback.
During a parody rap song called “Weird Little Flute”, Kid Cudi and Pete Davidson said, “Learning can be hard … So I practice hard like Thibodeau … And the only time I get really high … is when I play my bellhop. ”
Quin Snyder from Utah isn’t getting that SNL love anytime soon.
“He’s pushing me every day,” said Knicks rookie Obi Toppin before the game. “He challenges me every day to get better, not only offensively but also defensively.”
It would be shocking if the Knicks now collapse and drop out of the play-in tournament and move up to 11th place.
Since their style is all built on defense (they allow the fewest points in the league at 104.5 per game), it’s not a club prone to a massive slide.
There were serious concerns about their offensive prowess in the second half and Alec Burks’ late turnover with a two-point lead could have been glaring were it not for Siakam’s double dribble. A little luck. Lots of defense.
Thibodeau seemed to be restless for most of the evening, but he cracked a smile when he talked about the delay in the rain.
“I thought it was baseball,” he said.