Karl-Anthony Cities struggled mightily on the defensive finish, however that’s not the explanation the Knicks made the blockbuster commerce to accumulate him.
He actually carried his weight offensively.
The Knicks wanted each little bit of it of their 121-113 Sport 4 win over the Celtics on Monday evening at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Cities completed with 23 factors on 11-for-15 capturing from the sphere, although he did miss all three of his 3-pointers as his struggles from deep within the collection proceed.
“I thought we did a great job,” Cities mentioned. “[The Celtics] came out with a bunch of energy. They executed at a high level to start the game. I felt we did a great job staying strong, staying disciplined. This team believes in each other and found ourselves executing, doing what we had to do to win.”
Cities additionally had a team-high 11 rebounds because the Knicks received the vital battle on the glass.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Put up
He had three offensive rebounds, and the Knicks completed with 15 second-chance factors in comparison with the Celtics’ 9.
“I thought we did a great job of executing,” Cities mentioned. “They’re the defending champions, they have some of the most talented players in the NBA. You gotta make sure they only get one chance at a shot. Trying to make sure they don’t get second-chance points.”
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Cities was a black gap on protection, although.
The Celtics hunted him almost each possession, and that usually resulted in Cities switching onto Jayson Tatum on screens.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Put up
And Tatum erupted for 42 factors on 16-for-28 capturing from the sphere and 7-for-16 capturing from 3-point vary earlier than his scary noncontact damage late within the fourth quarter.
“I’m not going to lie man, Tatum was hitting some shots,” Cities mentioned. “That’s all I could do. Shoutout to him.”
