NBA Third-Quarter Awards: No team was better than the Bucks, and Dame Lillard was on another level
Team of the Quarter: Milwaukee BucksI dug into the Bucks' recent surge just before the All-Star break, and it continues apace! The last six weeks have made it clear, though, that a full-strength Bucks team ought to have one hell of a closing kick. The Kentucky product's end-to-end speed, quick-trigger threes and decisive slices into the paint have made him a vital source of complementary offense on a Knicks team that owned the NBA's No. Center Mitchell Robinson's been a board-crashing, rim-protecting, havoc-wreaking difference-maker, with the Knicks hammering opponents by 10.2 points-per-100 in his Q3 minutes. Even those megastars will have their work cut out for them against this Knicks team, though.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Lakers-Wizards trade creates pickup opportunities
By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWith the NBA trade deadline a couple of weeks away, fantasy basketball managers should stay alert. Double-check your league’s waiver wire just in case an impatient opposing manager shortsightedly dropped him. Deni Avdija, SF/PF, Washington Wizards (28% rostered)Sometimes seemingly smaller moves send shockwaves through the fantasy basketball landscape. Although it’s a minuscule, two-game sample size, he’s averaging 12.5 points, 10.0 boards, 3.0 dimes and 2.0 steals in 31.0 minutes since the deal. Over the last 22 games, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 6.0 boards, 3.8 dimes, 2.5 treys and 1.5 steals in 30.4 minutes.
wftv.comKnicks' NBA-leading 8-game win streak ends versus Raptors
NEW YORK — (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 52 points and the Toronto Raptors snapped the New York Knicks’ NBA-leading eight-game winning streak 113-106 Wednesday night. Fred VanVleet scored 28 points and OG Anunoby had 15 as the Raptors won for the fourth time in 16 road games. “We just wanted to get a win,” Siakam said. “I thought Quickley played a really solid game,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. Siakam had 17 of the Raptors’ 35 points in the second, and Anunoby had seven points in the second.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Pickups: De'Anthony Melton leads this weeks waiver wire options
By Gabe Allen and Alex Barutha, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsThe fantasy waiver wire looked barren this week, but we had some big news break Thursday. De’Anthony Melton, 76ers (30 percent rostered)The announcement of James Harden being out at least a month with a right foot tendon strain should vault Melton into the starting five. Melton has played well in his two starts, averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals in 32.0 minutes. With Harden off the court, Melton has averaged 1.0 fantasy points per minute, translating to 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.5 steals per 36 minutes. If he’s going to keep earning 30-plus minutes on a nightly basis, he’s worth adding in most leagues.
wftv.comKnicks recover to beat Lakers team missing suspended James
Lakers Knicks Basketball Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) and New York Knicks guard Alec Burks (18) vie for a rebound as Knicks' RJ Barrett (9) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in New York. They beat Detroit on Sunday after overcoming a 17-point deficit in the game James was ejected from for striking Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the face and drawing blood. Anthony was just 3 of 14 for 12 points, and the Lakers lost for the fourth time in five games. The Lakers scored nine straight to open the third and cut it to 63-60, and finally tied it for the first time at 79 on Anthony's dunk. Knicks: New York played without backup point guard Derrick Rose (sprained right ankle) and injured centers Mitchell Robinson and Taj Gibson.
wftv.comHorton-Tucker comes up big in OT as Lakers edge Knicks
Talen Horton-Tucker made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 21.1 seconds remaining, and the Los Angeles Lakers improved their hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament and prevented the New York Knicks from clinching a postseason berth with a 101-99 victory.
Randle, Rose lead Knicks to win over Grizzlies
Knicks Grizzlies Basketball New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) shoots ahead of Memphis Grizzlies guard De'Anthony Melton (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, May 3, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill) (Brandon Dill)MEMPHIS, Tenn. — (AP) — Julius Randle scored 28 points, Derrick Rose added 25, converting 11 of 15 shots and the New York Knicks held off the Memphis Grizzlies 118-104 on Monday night. RJ Barrett added 15 points for the Knicks. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 15 points for the Grizzlies. With the win, the Knicks are assured of their first winning record in a season since going 54-28 in 2012-13. Jackson and Bane had 11 points each for Memphis, which couldn’t keep pace with the Knicks shooting accuracy despite the Grizzlies shooting 55.6% in the period.
wftv.comRandle’s third triple-double lifts Knicks over Magic
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle shoots over Orlando Magic center Khem Birch (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)NEW YORK – Julius Randle recorded his third triple-double of the season with 18 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Evan Fournier scored 23 points but Reggie Bullock stole his pass on Orlando's final possession as the Magic dropped their ninth straight. ...Instead of reading the play, I starting the play (thinking) ahead and I was anticipating (the Knicks double-teaming on a pick-and-roll). “I was going to find my teammates.”The Knicks held Orlando to 42.7% shooting from the field and 29.4% from 3.
Once a Knick, always a Knick: Rose back in New York lineup
New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – The first thing Derrick Rose did in his second stint with the New York Knicks was start handing out assists. Rose made his second Knicks debut Tuesday night in Miami, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes in New York's 98-96 loss to the Heat. Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP award, capping his first season under Thibodeau and a 62-20 season for the Bulls. “I think he’s in great shape.
Leonard, Clippers pull away from Knicks for 129-115 win
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and the Clippers rang up the highest point total of the season against the New York Knicks on Sunday, winning 129-115 for their 10th victory in 11 games. The Clippers shredded the NBA leaders in fewest points per game allowed to break away after leading by one at halftime. The game's start time was moved up four hours by the NBA to 1 p.m., though neither that nor the Knicks' good early shooting seemed to bother the Clippers. Leonard and Jackson each scored 10 points in the period, when the Clippers made five 3-pointers and scored 35 points, taking a 101-91 lead to the fourth. Knicks: The Knicks' previous high for points allowed was 121 to Indiana in their season opener.
Knicks’ Barrett, Randle double up Magic
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) holds onto the ball before driving down court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, Pool)NEW YORK – R.J. Barrett scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds, and Julius Randle added 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 91-84 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday. Aaron Gordon had 18 points and 17 rebounds while Terrence Ross added 19 points for the Magic. The lead lasted for all of eight seconds, as Randle tied the game with a free throw. On New York’s ensuing possession, Randle hit a floater during a run in which the Knicks scored nine straight points.
Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston Garden
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. Irving scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals helping the Nets rout the Celtics 113-89 Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. There were no fans in the new Boston Garden on Friday night, and his introduction was greeted with a faint, fake cheer. Precious Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Heat, while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points and Tyler Herro scored 10. McCollum led the Blazers with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting and Gary Trent Jr. added 18 points in the loss.