By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
On Monday, the New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Raptors, 113-108, in Scotiabank Arena.
In his first showing in Toronto since being traded from the Raptors to the Knicks midway through the 2023-24 season, British O.G. Anunoby chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals over 41 minutes.
Besides posting a 20-point, 11-assist double-double, Jalen Brunson praised his teammate for his latest brilliant defensive display. “O.G. just has a knack for making plays defensively,” said the 28-year-old guard, “When it looks like no one can make the play, he just does it.”
Behind a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double, Karl-Anthony Towns was the key player for the team coached by Tom Thibodeau. Returning from a one-game absence, the 29-year-old center scored the go-ahead layup and followed up with a dagger three-pointer to seal the fifth win in the last six games of the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
For the team coached by Darko Rajakovic, Austrian Jakob Poeltl posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double plus four assists, two blocks, and one steal.
Besides a loss, Rajakovic saw Scottie Barnes exit during the third quarter. “Scottie tweaked his right ankle. We did X-rays that came out negative,” said the Serbian tactician, “We will see how he feels tomorrow morning and we will go from there.”
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 21-4
2. Boston Celtics 19-5
3. Orlando Magic 17-9
4. New York Knicks 15-9
5. Miami Heat 12-10
6. Milwaukee Bucks 12-11
7. Atlanta Hawks 13-12
8. Brooklyn Nets 10-14
9. Indiana Pacers 10-15
10. Chicago Bulls 10-15
11. Detroit Pistons 10-15
12. Philadelphia 76ers 7-15
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-17
14. Toronto Raptors 7-18
15. Washington Wizards 3-19
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 18-5
2. Memphis Grizzlies 17-8
3. Houston Rockets 16-8
4. Dallas Mavericks 16-8
5. Golden State Warriors 14-9
6. Los Angeles Clippers 14-11
7. Denver Nuggets 12-10
8. Los Angeles Lakers 13-11
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 12-11
10. Phoenix Suns 12-11
11. San Antonio Spurs 12-12
12. Sacramento Kings 12-13
13. Portland Trail Blazers 8-16
14. Utah Jazz 5-18
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-20
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins
