Capítulo 121: Error 121
Knicks fans feel mixed when the Kings come to New York. Seeing the best player in his franchise's history on the opposing bench is unbearable. Then there is Hector Herrera, who had the affront of making a quintuple-double at Madison Square Garden.
Outstanding player performances have occurred at the Garden, but a five-double is unreasonable. The Kings won their first game against the Orlando Magic and hosted a not-obvious opponent: The Sacramento Kings.
The Kings, contrary to expectations, did not make big moves during free agency. They are coming off a conference semifinal loss to the finalists, the Miami Heat. A more than honorable season for Tom Thibodeau's men, who must confirm the hopes glimpsed.
Knicks: Brunson, Grimes, Barrett, Randle, Robinson.
Kings: Fox, Huerter, Barnes, Murray, Herrera.
The Knicks are a defensive team. But they can't defend like everyone else, and the Kings are one of the most unpredictable teams in the NBA. The game begins with Fox organizing the offense.
A pick'n'roll is well organized with Hector, who frees up enough space to drive to the rim and finish a nice layup.
R.J. Barrett is going to start his show. To begin a midrange stepback under Hector's defense and a layup in transition shortly after. He provided an assist for a dunk by Randle. He went to the dunk himself afterward after a missed shot by Murray.
This season, he adopts a more aggressive game than before, to the delight of Thibodeau, who reproached him for his complacency.
The Kings are not going to get beaten up. Hector initiated a screen for Fox, who gave him the ball in the mid-range. It is a blessed bread for him. He then caused two fouls from Quentin Grimes and got four free throws, all of which he converted.
The Kings led 23–12 after a poorly adjusted pass from Randle and an interception by Hector. It was his first steal in the match. He sends the ball directly to Fox, who makes a feint shot and gives it to Huerter, who cuts to basketball and concludes.
And it's not over. Hector scores a layup and causes a foul from Robinson. After the success of the bonus free throw, the Knicks are still in their lack of shooting efficiency, and Murray, found by Hector in the corner, plants a 3-pointer that inflates the score.
The Knicks were asphyxiated, and Hector stole another ball into Hartenstein's hands. A 12-0 run gave the Kings a comfortable lead late in the first quarter, ending with a score of 35-24. The Knicks took advantage of Hector's exit to score 6 points.
But it was Barrett who sounded the revolt. Early in the quarter, he stepped back on an assist from DiVincenzo, who arrived from the Warriors this summer. Then he's going to catch Malik Monk and cause a foul. He will get and make both free throws.
DiVincenzo also caused a foul from Nerlens Noel and made both attempts on the line. Quentin Grimes will also go but will miss one of his two attempts. The latter will also make a pullup jump shot that will bring the Knicks back to 3 points behind.
Barnes stopped the bleeding at the free throw line, and Noel, on an alley-oop, gave the Kings a breather. But Barrett doesn't want to negotiate with the Kings. He will make a floater to avoid the block of Christmas and a catch-and-shoot 3-point with the assist of Brunson.
He will then cause a foul and get two free throws that he will convert. R.J. Barrett has an excellent teacher for causing fouls, and Hector watches helplessly as his "apprentice" grows.
It's time for him to get back in the game. Sacramento leads by only one point, and it's far from over.
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