Heroes and zeros from the Knicks’ 123-112 Recreation 1 win over the Pistons on Saturday:
Hero: Jalen Brunson
After a tough begin, he modified his sneakers and got here again because the celebrity the Knicks have grown accustomed to. After beginning 3-for-14 from the sector, Brunson made 9 of his subsequent 13 pictures and completed with a game-high 34 factors and eight assists.
Zero: Mikal Bridges
He disappeared for lengthy stretches of the sport, a priority many had about him coming into the playoffs. He completed with simply eight factors and was a team-worst minus-16. The Knicks have been fortunate to beat his no-show.
Unsung hero: Cam Payne
A query to even be within the postseason rotation, he scored 11 of his 14 factors within the fourth quarter, which helped spark the Knicks’ empathic 21-0 run. His vitality was infectious along with his teammates as nicely.
Key stat
62-46 Knicks’ benefit in factors within the paint. For all that was made about how powerful the Pistons are inside, the Knicks bullied them there. A lot of that got here from Karl-Anthony Cities, who completed with 23 factors.
Quote
“I think he grabbed his cape.”
— Tom Thibodeau on what modified for Brunson
