73 factors to honor ‘73.
On an evening the Knicks celebrated their final championship on its fiftieth anniversary, the present squad placed on an offensive clinic within the first half of a 128-106 beatdown Saturday of the Pelicans.
Their 73 factors on the break was 4 wanting a franchise document, setting the stage for the halftime ceremony honoring that 1973 squad.
Of course, it’s a unique sport than 50 years in the past with the introduction and emphasis on the three-point shot. The Knicks took full benefit Saturday with 19 treys — tying a season-high — together with a mixed 9 from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
Red Holzman can be proud.
The surging Knicks (35-27) gained their fifth straight and moved a half-game under the Nets for fifth within the East. They obtained strong output from Randle (28 factors, seven rebounds, 5 assists), Barrett (25 factors, seven assists) and Mitchell Robinson (11 factors, 13 rebounds).
The spotlight was within the fourth quarter off a steal from Immanuel Quickley, who threw it off the backboard for Randle’s hovering dunk.
New York’s early onslaught included 16 first-quarter factors from Randle, who picked up the place he left off from his career-high 46 factors the night time prior in Washington D.C.
The Knicks led by 23 within the second quarter and by no means appeared again. Garbage time was so lengthy that Derrick Rose, on the urging of the chanting crowd, checked in for the primary time because the New Year.
He supplied some leisure and drama for the ultimate two minutes however couldn’t give the followers a bucket.
The Pelicans have been taking part in with out Zion Williamson, who has been out since Jan. 2 with a hamstring damage. Despite Williamson’s prodigious expertise, the accidents and inactivity have been the unlucky story of his profession as a frequent member of the DNP record.
The Pelicans (30-31) have struggled with out their All-Star and entered Saturday as losers of 13 of their final 17 video games.
STYLING AND PROFILING
The loudest ovation throughout the 1973 celebration went to Clyde Frazier.
As it needs to be.
Then the Knicks legend stepped to the mic and gave a rousing speech about beating Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
It was the spotlight of a ceremony that included appearances from a lot of the residing members of the championship squad, together with Earl Monroe and Bill Bradley. Willis Reed couldn’t journey and supplied a message over the Jumbotron. The notable absence was Phil Jackson, who, based on a supply, was invited.
Jackson left the franchise on a bitter observe after a disappointing run as staff president from 2014 to 2017. He was introduced Saturday in absence to a mixture of boos and cheers.
Curiously and unnecessarily, the Knicks used a big chunk of the ceremony to honor more moderen gamers, most of whom work for the group, like John Starks, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston.
BROOKLYN’S FINEST
Jose Alvarado had one heckuva week.
After profitable MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge, the Pelicans level guard got here dwelling to NYC to have his jersey retired at Christ the King in Brooklyn, the primary male participant to ever have his quantity within the rafters for the famed basketball program.
“That jersey retirement is legendary,” Alvarado informed the Daily News. “Nobody can wear that number anymore. It’s crazy because that number is special in that school and for me to get the last dance with it is pretty amazing.”
Christ the King was additionally dwelling to Lamar Odom, Jayson Williams, Speedy Claxton and Khalid Reeves. Its feminine alumni are much more spectacular with Sue Bird, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tina Charles.
Alvarado is an underdog story within the NBA as an undrafted participant on a two-way contract who grinded his method to a constant position. His breakout sport was final season for the Pelicans at MSG.
“I went out there and I said, ‘I’m at the Garden and I’m going to play in front of my people,’” Alvarado stated.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com