After the Clippers, the Knicks will face another capable offensive team on Monday night when they visit the Bulls in their first consecutive game in Chicago this week.
The Knicks, according to NBA Advanced Stats, have a defensive rating in the top 10 after finishing 23rd in that category last season. The defensive effort completed their consistent offensive production, which continued on Sunday.
Julius Randle went on to beat New York on that end of the floor with 27 points and 12 rebounds, Immanuel Quickley had 25 points and RJ Barrett finished with 23 points.
Quickley followed his 25-point performance against the Cavaliers last week as the Kentucky rookie continued to deliver off the bench.
The Bulls saw a five-point lead slip away in the final nine seconds in the 123-122 defeat to Portland courtesy of Damian Lillard on Saturday. Lillard’s two triples, including the game’s winner at the buzzer, ruined Chicago’s bid for a second comeback win this season against the Trail Blazers.
Chicago overcame 20 points in a 111-108 win in Portland on January 5 and recovered by 19 points less on Saturday.
Lillard buried seven of his eight three-pointers in the last two quarters and sparked Portland’s comeback.
Lauri Markkanen finished with a record of 31 points. Zach LaVine (26.9 team points per game) finished with 26 points and Thaddeus Young finished with a triple double with eight points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
After Lillard’s triple with 8.2 seconds left, Gary Trent Jr. tied LaVine for a jump ball and won the tip to set the game’s winner.
On the injury front for Chicago, Wendell Carter Jr. (right quad bruise) is out and Otto Porter Jr. (spasms in his back) is listed as questionable.
For the Knicks, Nerlens Noel (groin) jumped against the Clippers, but Reggie Bullock (neck pain) returned after a three-game absence and scored eight points in just over 26 minutes.