Knicks 104, Pelicans 93: "Jal3n!!!"

Yesterday at 10:38 PM

Brunson scores 29 second half points to fend off a flock of desperate birds.

Coming into tonight's game, the New York Knicks (18-10) had won two consecutive games, while the New Orleans Pelicans (5-24) had dropped five straight. The visitors were heavy favorites at the Smoothie King Center, but we underestimated how desperately the short-handed Birds wanted their sixth win.

New York displayed strong ball movement, but an early advantage was quickly erased by turnovers and effective Pelican defense, resulting in a tie at the end of the first quarter. Despite falling behind and shooting poorly, the Knicks overcame a 13-point deficit to trail by four at halftime. In the second half, Jalen Brunson took over the game, incinerating from deep to overcome an early 13-point deficit and take a lead by the end of the third quarter. Despite some back-and-forth in the final quarter, New York maintained control to close it out, 104-93.

Quoth foiegrastyle: "Jal3n!!!" Could be my new computer password. Brunson set a new season-high with 39 points, 29 coming after intermission. Adding to that, he dished six dimes and shot 13-of-19 from field, 7-of-10 from deep.

Mikal Bridges deserves a gold star, too, with 20 points and two steals and making 7-of-16 in his 45 minutes. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart combined for 30 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Rounding out the starters, Karl-Anthony Towns played just 27 minutes due to foul trouble, but still managed an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. Off the bench, Jericho Sims was a net positive off the bench and cleared eight boards.

For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III scored 26 points, Herb Jones logged three steals, and Dejounte Murray scored 14 points and nine rebounds. Their defense was legitimate tonight, and if they had just one or two more players available, this game could have gone the other way.

First Half

Great ball movement produced quick dividends for New York in Crescent City. Josh Hart, who played 153 games as a Pelican, missed Thursday's Minnesota festivities due to personal reasons but grooved early tonight, making his first three shots. Despite poor shooting, the Pelicans were able to compete with their betters thanks to feisty defense, Yves Missi securing offensive boards (they're sixth in the league there), and the team thefting five steals (sixth in that department, too).

Sloppy play, including six turnovers, cost New York a five-point lead and allowed the hapless home team to jump ahead by six. Thanks to the Knicks' 9-3 run to end the quarter, the score was knotted at 28 to start the second.

NOLA's Brandon Boston tied the team high of 13 points in the December 1st game against the Knicks. To start the second quarter, he kicked off a 17-7 run that had the Knicks scratching their heads. The poor-shooting Pelicans had somehow sank six of their first 11 three-point attempts, three of which came from Jordan Hawkins off the bench. Coach Willie Green's team met the Knicks' offense with a zone defense that proved effective—and their own offense sure didn't look like a five-win team.

After falling behind by 15, New York benefited from NOLA's shooting falling off (Dejounte Murray bricked five of six) and cut the deficit to four with four minutes left in the half. The Captain as cooking on his way to 10 first-half points:

Herb Jones and Pelicans' length pestered New York into yet more turnovers. In the first half, 12 turnovers cost the Knicks 15 points. It could have been worse. They benefited from Jericho Sims' leaping ability as he grabbed four rebounds in the final minute. By intermission, they were fortunate to be trailing 49-45.

The Knicks shot themselves in the collective foot by shooting just 36% from the floor and 29% (6-of-21) from deep. Meanwhile, the Pels made hay on fast-breaks and by shooting 39% from deep. Trey Murphy III led the home squad with 14 points; OG Anunoby had 12 points despite shooting 4-of-12. Three fouls had kept Karl-Anthony Towns on the pine for much of the half.

Second Draft

Coming out of intermission, New York committed unforced errors, including turnovers on a carry and a travel. When Murphy dunked a Herb Jones assist at the nine-minute mark, NOLA had outscored New York 11-2 and reclaimed a 13-point lead.

Jalen Brunson had enough of it. Fueled by his dimes and daggers, New York tore off on a 28-10 run to take a two-point lead with two minutes remaining. After their icy first-half shooting, the Knicks made six of seven from deep in Q3 and rode a 78-75 lead into the fourth.

The 'Bockers started the final frame 12-1. Jericho Sims stayed on the floor and played well while KAT and his three fouls rested on the bench. As Brunson crossed the 30-point mark and Bridges netted another trey, the visitors extended their advantage to 14.

With about five minutes remaining, Brunson got to rest—he had played the entire second half thus far—and Towns returned to the action. The Pels scored twice and Thibs sent Jalen right back in. This was a 10-point game with a minute to go. A crafty Brunson bucket made it 12 and sealed the deal.

Notes

• Due to injury, the Pels have fielded 17 different starting lineups this season.
• Tonight marked Zion Williamson's 23rd missed game of the season.
• In the December 1st game, the Pels hit 2-of-20 from downtown.
• I'm too tired for notes.

Up Next

Our heroes are homeward bound to face the Raptors at MSG on Monday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score