Randle scores 37 as the Knicks defeat Wizards 131-113

After four consecutive games decided in the closing seconds, the Knicks played one in which the fourth quarter was just a formality. Julius Randle scored 37 points and the New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards 131-113 at the Garden.

Randle’s performance followed a $15,000 fine that the NBA awarded him for “inappropriate language directed at official”, after the OT loss against the Philadelphia 76ers a few days ago. Randle criticized the referees that denied him a foul call on his last shot in the 101-100 Sunday loss.

Just like a genuine point-forward, Julius Randle went 7-10 from behind the arc that included three consecutive 3 pointers in a span of less than 2 minutes, in the third quarter.

“I was just confident. I put the work in. I know how hard I worked this summer on trying to improve as a shooter. So honestly I’m not really surprised. … I had it rolling.”

– Julius Randle

After a tight first quarter, the Knicks emerged and took a 20 point lead at halftime, then extended it to 30 in the third quarter. The Wizards weren’t able to reply.

RJ Barrett scored 21, Alec Burks led the bench with 20, Mitchell Robinson finished in double double with 16 and 12 off the bench, Immanuel Quickley dropped 14 and Reggie Bullock scored 10 as the Knicks counted six players in double figures at the final buzzer.

The Wizards were led by Bradley Beal’s 22 points. Russell Westrbrook and Deni Avdija had 14 points each.

The Knicks’ record is back at .500 and with their 22nd win of the season they outlast the total number of wins in the previous season.

Up-next: Thursday – same teams, same place, same time.