Barrett & Randle combine for 62 points as Knicks defeat Pacers

RJ Barrett dropped 32 points and Julius Randle added 30 to go with 16 rebounds in his return and the New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 104-94 last night at the Garden.

Barrett scored 24 points in the first half, Randle was in double double after missing two straight games to medical protocols and both of them shot 12-20 from the field. The Knicks lost both games when Randle was out.

“The big thing is for RJ, it was incredible for him to start the game. With both guys, it’s them attacking the rim. The game will tell you what to do. If we settle for shots, it’s going to cause problems. If we’re attacking the rim, it makes us different.”

– Tom Thibodeau

The Knicks took a 47-37 lead in the second quarter before allowing the Pacers to go on a 9-0 run and they eventually tied the game 55-55 at halftime. The third quarter was defined by nine minutes in which both teams went head to head, exchanging baskets without any of them making it a two possession game. The Pacers, however, were unable to score for the next two minutes which allowed the Knicks to take a 84-77 lead before the final act.

The fourth quarter didn’t made any difference, the Pacers tried to hold on but were only able to keep the pace for the first three minutes. After Alec Burks‘ 18-foot pull-up jump the Knicks took a 90-87 lead. Randle made it a 6 point game later but Duane Washington and Domantis Sabonis put some hopes into the visitors’ bag after hitting some free throws that cut the lead 93-90. Barrett and Burks were quick with the reply, made it 97-90 with under 4 minutes on the clock and that was basically it.

Chants of “R-J-Ba-rrett” were shouted from the crowd, even when Randle had the ball, at the free trow line or dribling late in the fourth.

“It’s cool. Definitely in the Garden, hearing the Garden chanting your name is a lot of fun.”

– RJ Barrett

The Knicks, benefitted once again by playing a team decimated by restrictions. No less than nine players were behind medical protocols or recovering from surgeries, among which Malcolm Brogdon, Jemery Lamb, Chris Duarte or TJ Warren. The Knicks on the other hand were helped by the returns of Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims

Burks scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds as a starter and Immanuel Quickley led the bench with 11 buckets. Robinson had 8 and 8 off the bench, going 4-5 from the field.

The Pacers were led by Keifer Sykes with 22 points. Duane Washington added 17 buckets while Domantis Sabonis and Torrey Craig scored 15 each. No Pacer was in double-double.

The Knicks dominated the paint outscoring their opponents 54-38. They also dominated the boards, collecting 51 rebounds to Pacers’ 35.

Don’t forget to check out the broadcasting recap brought to you by our very own, RunningJumper.