New York Knicks Win Their Eighth Game in a Row
It has been just over a month since small forward OG Anunoby, power forward Precious Achiuwa, and point guard Malachi Flynn were traded to the New York Knicks from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for shooting guard RJ Barrett, shooting guard Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. The main purpose for the trade was for the Knicks to get some value back for Quickley who would probably have left New York to go to a team that could give him much more money in free agency anyway, send RJ Barrett to his homeland of Canada to play for a franchise where he is now comfortably the current number one option offensively and will flourish into being the best NBA player he can be, as well as get a big man in Precious Achiuwa who will provide New York useful minutes while their starting center Mitchell Robinson is out for an extending period as he is recovering from his left ankle surgery in December. While the trade at the time had mixed reviews as it did not seem like the Knicks were getting back what they deserved for what they were giving up, their recent record and play say otherwise.
Anunoby played his first game this season for the New York Knicks on New Year’s Day against shooting guard Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anunoby had a very solid start with the franchise besides fouling out in the game as he scored 17 points, and dished out 6 assists, all while shooting 7-12 from the field in the contest. What is more impressive however is the fact that since Anunoby joined the Knicks they have an unbelievable record of 12-2 in games he has played in and 14-2 overall as he has missed the last two games dealing with right elbow inflammation. Anunoby is averaging nearly 16 points and shooting close to 53% in his 14 games so far with the Knicks and while we all know point guard Jalen Brunson, averaging nearly 27 points in 46 games played so far this season, is clearly the franchise player on this team, Anunoby is fitting nicely right alongside him.
Last night the Knicks won their eighth game in a row, beating the Utah Jazz 118-103 in Madison Square Garden. Brunson was his usual self, dropping 29 points and 9 assists to help the Knicks get the win. If you watched the game last night though you know that Brunson was not the high scorer for the Knicks in the game as shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo dropped 33 points and nine 3-pointers, his best performance since his 38-point game against point guard Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in a loss on December 30. Achiuwa also added 18 points and while point guard Collin Sexton had 22 points to lead the Utah Jazz, the scorching hot New York Knicks were too much for the Jazz to handle as they cruised to another victory.
