Knicks head coach Mike Brown highlighted his team’s defensive and offensive execution after Tuesday’s 121-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
He emphasized the team’s free-throw and offensive rebounding advantage, noting, “We had an advantage at the free-throw line and we need every single one of those free throw attempts. We also were really, really good on the offensive glass… They were huge with the seven offensive rebounds.”
Brown praised the team’s low turnover performance and depth, adding, “We had seven guys in double figures which was huge.”
On Jalen Brunson, Brown said, “He’s giving it to us defensively, and he’s giving it to us all offensively. I tell you his ability to read the defense and make timely cuts and finishing… there’s a lot of fun to watch.”
The coach also singled out OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, stating, “Jalen was fantastic. Big KAT with a double-double was great. Our defensive player in the game was OG and he guarded a lot of different players.”
Brown analyzed the team’s mid-game struggles, noting, “Second and third quarter, 64 points, the biggest thing was our transition… we had some turnovers that led to breaks for them. Our guys do a better job of taking care of ball in the fourth quarter.”
On Brunson’s offensive approach, Brown remarked, “Great players, when it counts the most, make the game easier for everybody else… Sometimes that means go score. Sometimes, that means draw two and move it to OG for a wide open three. And he was great with that tonight.”
The Knicks improved to 48-25, pulling within percentage points of the Boston Celtics for second place in the Eastern Conference, with Brunson scoring 32 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Next, New York visits Charlotte on Thursday, while New Orleans travels to Detroit.