Knicks dominate Trail Blazers in fifth straight victory

The New York Knicks secured their fifth consecutive victory, this time against the Portland Trail Blazers, with a resounding 112-84 win.

OG Anunoby continued to make NBA history, notching an impressive 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting. His impact on the game was not only reflected in his point total but also in his remarkable plus/minus.

Anunoby’s plus/minus of +26 for the game contributed to an unprecedented achievement as the first player in NBA history to record a plus/minus of over 100 in his first five games with a new team. Since joining the Knicks, Anunoby boasts an astonishing combined plus/minus of +111.

“Each day [Anunoby] is more comfortable. He’s putting a lot of time in, great worker, very serious in his approach. (…) He’s done a really good job, and we have a number of guys like that.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Julius Randle, a consistent force for the Knicks, contributed 20 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. The bench unit played a crucial role, with Quentin Grimes scoring 17 points and Miles McBride adding 16.

From the tip-off, the Knicks took control of the game and never looked back. They established a 38-22 lead by the end of the first quarter. The lead continued to grow, reaching its pinnacle with 2:34 left in the third quarter when Randle’s layup extended the Knicks’ advantage to an impressive 94-55.

For the Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant scored 21 points and Anfernee Simmons added 12. The rest of the team finished in single digits.

The Knicks showcased a solidified defense throughout the game, holding the Trail Blazers to only 84 points. Over their last five games, the Knicks have maintained an impressive defensive record, limiting opponents to an average of 97.4 points.

With this victory, the Knicks retained their fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference. Despite wins from close competitors Miami, Indiana, and Cleveland, the Knicks are holding their ground, trailing the Sixers by just two games.

The Knicks’ winning streak remains unblemished since the trade for OG Anunoby. This marks their fifth consecutive victory as the Knicks continued their dominance against teams with losing records, boasting an impressive record of 15-1 in such matchups.

Up-next: Knicks (22-15) will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks (22-16) on Thursday night from 8:30pm.