Julius Randle needs just three quarters to go above 30 points and lead the Knicks to an easy win, eleventh in their last 12 games. Fifteen of his 31 points arrived after half-time, remaining seated throughout the last part of the game, earning the chants of “MVP” from some blue-orange fans present at the Toyota Center.
Seventh defeat in the last eight for the Texans, who on more than one occasion tried to get closer and were promptly chased back by the plays of Randle, Derrick Rose (24 points with 8/11 and 4/5 of three) and RJ Barrett (21 with 7 rebounds and 5 assists). There are four players in double figures for the hosts, with 19 from Christian Wood and 17 from Kelly Olynyk to accompany Kevin Porter Jr.’s 14 + 6 + 6 and Kenyon Martin Jr.’s 13.