DETROIT — The Knicks are in extremely uncommon firm.
Their 116-113 Recreation 6 — and series-clinching — win over the Pistons Thursday evening at Little Caesars Enviornment was the fourth straight contest that was determined by three factors or fewer — simply the second time in NBA historical past that occurred in a playoff sequence.
The opposite got here within the 1981 Japanese Convention Finals between the Celtics and 76ers.
The Knicks’ expertise confirmed in crunch time.
They went 3-1 in these 4 video games, executing in crunch time higher than the youthful, much less skilled Pistons.
“It’s all about us staying poised and having our composure,” Jalen Brunson mentioned. “Obviously you want to have it throughout the game, but it’s most important at the end. We all have each others’ back and we all know what we want to do. And I’m just thankful for my teammates and my coaches.”
It helps having the NBA’s Clutch Participant of the Yr in Brunson, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left.
“He’s at his best when his best is needed,” coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “He’s done it all year. That’s what makes him special.”
However Brunson actually wanted his teammates Thursday evening to assist the Knicks end the sport on an 11-1 run after a brutal begin to the fourth quarter.
Mikal Bridges’ tip-in, particularly, tied the sport at 113-113 with 35.1 seconds left.
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And the Knicks have proven all yr that they’re nicely outfitted for shut video games.
They went 7-3 within the common season in video games determined by three factors or fewer.
“It’s huge, and it’s all of us,” Josh Hart mentioned. “I think everyone out there contributed at the end of the game. Huge, huge shutout to [Bridges]. Shot wasn’t falling in this series, but he did everything else. He was guarding, his defense was amazing in this series. Thirty seconds left, he had one of the biggest plays, an effort tip-in. [Brunson’s] shot was huge. Big credit to him for keeping mentally strong and playing his game.”
