BOSTON — Next time Shaquille O’Neal ought to bear in mind the identify: Julius Randle.
At the road, with the sport on the road, Randle got here via and Jaylen Brown choked.
The end result was an exhilarating and really sudden trip at TD Garden for the Knicks, who bought 37 factors from Randle and a 120-117 extra time victory in opposition to the Celtics.
“Experience. I’m in those situations, like I said, before on both ends, where I missed them and I made them, so I’m comfortable,” Randle stated.
Randle, who was referred to as ‘Randolph’ earlier than the sport by TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal, buried the game-winning clutch free throws with 21 seconds remaining in extra time. Brown, a sure All-Star this season for the Celtics, then missed each his makes an attempt with 7.6 seconds remaining.
If this wasn’t the very best victory of the season for the Knicks (27-23), it’s on the medal stand. They’ve received two straight in opposition to high Eastern Conference squads (they beat the Cavs on Tuesday).
“We can beat anybody. We can lose to anybody. That’s the league,” Randle stated. “It’s super talented. Very balanced league. So, we can see how special we can be on a night-to-night basis if we come in with the right focus.”
Predictably, the Knicks blew a late lead in regulation. They have been up by 12 with below 5 minutes remaining, then inexplicably became follow cones on protection whereas permitting Jayson Tatum to cook dinner.
Tatum torched Randle within the fourth quarter, breezing previous the Knicks defender on the perimeter whereas dropping 11 factors within the ultimate seven minutes. Tatum additionally had an opportunity to seal the victory in regulation however missed an open jumper earlier than the buzzer to arrange extra time.
Then Randle, who completed with 37 factors (two greater than Tatum), had the ultimate say. He was joined in heroic moments by RJ Barrett, who nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with 29 seconds left. Jalen Brunson added 29 factors in 40 minutes and the ultimate block on Malcolm Brogdon’s potential tying 3-point try on the ultimate buzzer.
“Saw the play, reacted,” Brunson stated. “Saw we didn’t have a lot of time so put my hand up and got a piece of the ball.”
Still, the pregame broadcast on TNT turned a reminder of how the Knicks — and Randle — nonetheless have to persuade all people else. They have been left off the All-Star starters, which was actually anticipated and introduced proper earlier than tipoff. It solely stung extra as a distinction to the crosstown rival Nets, the one workforce with two starters. Then Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal started killing the Knicks of their typical waggish methods. Barkley was confused that the Knicks have been concerned in rivalry week on the community.
“They haven’t been relevant since Patrick Ewing,” Barkley stated.
When O’Neal was reminded Randle wasn’t Randolph, he responded dismissively, ‘Whatever his name is.’
The Celtics led by as many as 15 within the first quarter, however the Knicks retaliated quick, took a lead within the second quarter, and had the deficit at 2 at halftime. Randle was the spark and boosted his All-Star candidacy for when the reserves are picked by the coaches.
“I think for all players, I think the more times you go through it the better you get at everything. And so we’re building some continuity,” Tom Thibodeau stated. “I think he’s become more familiar with his teammates, his teammates more familiar with him. Bringing Jalen in I think has really helped. I think the number one responsibility of a point guard is to control and manage the game. And so it’s allowed Julius to play off the ball more and that’s where we can take advantage of all the different things that he can do.”
The Celtics have been lacking Marcus Smart, who suffered a sprained ankle final week. The Knicks performed once more with out Mitchell Robinson, who’s out for one more 4 weeks, in accordance with proprietor James Dolan, and Evan Fournier, who remained in New York following the start of his son.
With Robinson out, Jericho Sims once more began at heart and grabbed 14 rebounds.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com