The New York Knicks picked up their first win of the preseason, defeating the Brooklyn Nets.
New York Knicks fans were feeling a little nervous after the first preseason game. The Knicks got crushed against the Houston Rockets, losing 130-103. They should feel a little better after tonight, as the Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 118-98.
.@brandonjennings finds his spot and connects on the jumper! #NYKvsBKN pic.twitter.com/iCYg2YNBtL
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 9, 2016
The Knicked picked up their first victory of the preseason Saturday night and it was a solid team performance. The Knicks were without two probable starters in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, but it didn’t matter. The Knicks got production from virtually everyone that stepped onto the court.
The Knicks had six players score in double-figures, led by 16 from Carmelo Anthony. Anthony shot 6-of-11 overall in 19 minutes, as Kristaps Porzingis was the other starter in double figures with 12. They were joined by Chasson Randle, Willy Hernangomez, Maurice Ndour, and Sasha Vujacic off the bench; they scored 14, 12, 12, and 11 respectively.
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The Knicks really got the job done from the three-point line tonight. As a team, they shot 12-of-27, 44.4 percent. Anthony, Randle, Vujacic and Ron Baker all knocked down multiple three-pointers to lead the way. On the night overall, the Knicks shot 53.6 percent from the field.
The Knicks got a great performance from Brandon Jennings tonight. He replaced Rose in the starting lineup and provided a spark to the team. He was able to set up his teammates flawlessly in transition, getting them easy baskets early in the shot clock. Under Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks are expected to run more and that plays well into the style of Rose, Jennings, and Randle.
The Knicks defense tonight was much better than it was against the Rockets. While the Nets aren’t near the same level as the Rockets, it was still an encouraging performance nonetheless. The Nets shot only 38.7 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from the three-point line. The Knicks forced 18 turnovers, as Randle and J.P. Tokoto each had three steals.
Jeremy Lin did not play for the Nets tonight, which took away some of the intrigue from the preseason matchup tonight. Greivis Vasquez started for Lin, scoring two points with two rebounds and two assists.
The leading scorer for the Nets was actually former No.1 overall pick Anthony Bennett. Bennett is looking to get his career on track with the Nets and scored 15 points tonight against the Knicks. He made a living at the foul line, shooting 11-of-14 from the charity stripe.
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The Knicks will look to make it two in a row in the preseason Monday night when they play the Washington Wizards. The Nets will look for their second win Tuesday when they travel to take on the Miami Heat.