The Knicks can always count on the Pistons to do Pistons things.
On the brink of a terrible collapse and a powerful redemption moment for Quentin Grimes, the Knicks benefited from utter chaos in the final seconds of a dramatic 113-111 victory Monday night (US time) at MSG.
With about 20 seconds left and the Knicks trailing by one, Jalen Brunson’s missed 3-pointer was rebounded by Grimes, who tossed it to Simone Fontecchio, who turned it over to Isaiah Hartenstein, who passed it to Donte DiVincenzo, who turned it over to Ausar Thompson, who turned it back over to DiVincenzo.
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It ended with an and-1 lay-up for Josh Hart, who missed the free throw but got the rebound — and was fouled — to close the victory.
It was the 14th straight win for the Knicks over the sadsack Pistons, the worst team in the league.
Their streak started pre-pandemic but was nearly finished Monday.
This win was both close and controversial.
DiVincenzo’s final steal looked like a foul on Thompson, but the referee swallowed his whistle and it sent Detroit coach Monty Williams into a tirade.
Before that, Grimes, the former Knick, nearly led the Pistons to an upset with all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead lay-up with 37.3 seconds left.
The Knicks needed 35 points and 12 assists from Brunson to survive the scare.
Monday’s game was supposed to be in Detroit, but, due to issues related to the In-Season Tournament, it was moved to MSG.
Basically, the Knicks were given too many road games because of their advancement in the IST – and the league punished the Pistons by taking away one of their games at Little Caesars Arena.
It’s a pitfall of being the worst team.
This article was originally published at the New York Post and was republished with permission.
BasketBRAWL: Butler ejected in NOLA | 01:10
SHOCK $152M LEBRON CLAIM
Is it worth paying a soon-to-be 40-year-old over $150 million to play basketball?
LeBron James hopes so.
The Lakers superstar is reportedly chasing a “nine figure” contract to remain in Los Angeles, reports ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
It would allow James to remain at the club until his son Bronny is ready to enter the NBA Draft, following his medical issues which lowered his professional stock.
“I don’t think this is LeBron’s last stand, I don’t think this is the Lakers’ last stand,” Windhorst said on First Take.
“First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures. That will be even bigger than the deal he is on now.
“Now, whether or not he’s able to finish that deal, whether or not the Lakers want to give him a three-year contract and pay him $60 million when he’s 42 years old, that’s a different discussion.”
His current deal earns him $US99 million for two seasons, assuming he accepts a player option for 2024-25.
NBA SCORES (February 27 AEDT)
Raptors 130, Pacers 122
Pistons 111, Knicks 113
Nets 111, Grizzlies 86