Posting and Toasting - All Posts~https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29802/posting_fave.png2024-03-28T12:00:00-04:00http://www.postingandtoasting.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T12:00:00-04:002024-03-28T12:00:00-04:00All nine three-pointers from Deuce McBride’s career night in Toronto
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Toronto Raptors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UkVLgdx89OqXyO8npOKvSI44Yes=/0x0:5112x3408/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73239048/2110567949.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Because you want to see them all.</p> <p id="pDhEIk">The <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> (44-28) handed the depleted <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> their fiftieth loss of the season on Wednesday. In the 145-101 blowout, 6’2” shooting guard Miles “Deuce” McBride contributed 29 of those points, tying his career-high (a record set earlier in the month against the Warriors).</p>
<p id="rLJKHc">While burying the Raptors, Deuce hit a career-best nine three-pointers, shot 10-of-17 from the field and 64% from deep, and dished up seven assists. It was a masterful performance from a player who spent a lot of time on the pine before January 2024. For your pleasure, here are all nine of his three-point beauties.</p>
<p id="JUDvd0">1) Before this January 2024, Deuce had started four NBA games. Since then, due to a spate of team injuries, he has started 10. Always be ready for opportunity, kids. Here he handles a low pass from Isaiah Hartenstein, regains his composure, plants his feet, and fires in the face of Gary Trent, Jr. to record the first points of the game. </p>
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<p id="PGHPMi">2) Deuce was always a killer defender but took a while to click offensively. He never stopped working, however, and has been praised of late for his Mamba-like focus on preparation. It shows the most in his fundamentally strong three-point stroke. Last season, he hit 30% from downtown on 2.1 attempts per game. This season? 42% from downtown on 3.6 attempts, and he has shot 81-of-192 since January 1, 2024. This triple put the Knicks up 9-2.</p>
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<p id="u7RLJx">3) Lacking in height, Deuce needs a high release to clear a defender’s fingertips. With every shot he jumps to his highest point and lets the ball fly as high as he can, capitalizing on his 6’8.75” wingspan. This 25-footer, his third longball in the first three minutes, put New York up 12-5.</p>
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<p id="CTkWfy">4) McBride hit 70-of-190 three-pointers in his two-year college career, or 37%. The hard work he’s put into perfecting his shot—including shooting 500 triples per day—has clearly paid off. Still in the first quarter, Deuce hits his fourth triple, a 26-footer, at the seven-minute mark to put our heroes up 23-15. Here, Jalen Brunson drives the paint, stumbles while drawing the attention of all five Raptors, and kicks out to a wide-open Deuce. McBride’s fourth three put the Knicks ahead 23-15.</p>
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<p id="atc1Of">5) Stilllll in the first quarter, the 23-year-old pride of Cincinnati corrals an off-target pass from Donte DiVincenzo—also a decent marksman—and fires before Gradey Dick can even come close to his air-space. Knicks up, 31-19.</p>
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<p id="Fa1MjG">6) Yep, still in the first quarter. McBride made himself undeniable with tenacious defense, and he rates in the 89th percentile for deflections (3.2 per game). Now that his offensive skills have caught up, how do you slide this guy back to the second unit? The following triple, assisted by Jalen Brunson, was his sixth, the most a Knick has made in a quarter this season. It gave New York a 38-21 lead.</p>
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<p id="YPMihH">7) In December, McBride agreed to a three-year, $13 million contract extension. In light of his recent production, that’s starting to look like Leon Rose’s shrewdest deal yet. Here’s Deuce in the third quarter, swishing his seventh triple to put New York up by 20.</p>
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<p id="aJqWAY">8) This was McBride’s fifth straight game with 40+ minutes played. In the fourth quarter. Bojan Bogdanovic connected with Deuce for the following bomb, his eighth of the contest. With his spirit broken, Gradey Dick demonstrates disinterest in contesting this 28-footer. Knicks up 125-91; Raptors crying for mercy.</p>
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<p id="PKNNrF">9) With just under five minutes remaining, Deuce hits his new career-high, a ninth three-pointer. Remarkably, Donte DiVincenzo had just set a new Knicks record for most threes in a game on Monday, with 11 against Detroit. Briefly, fans at home wondered if McBride might try to match DiVo’s mark, but Thibs subbed out the flamethrower at 4:49 in a rare act of mercy toward the opponent. </p>
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<p id="b70KGE">To those who claim that this team lacks shooting, Donte and Deuce are offering an emphatic rebuttal. The question that has arisen is: will Thibs send McBride back to the bench once OG Anunoby and Julius Randle return from their injuries, or will Donte move to the second squad and assume leadership duties there? </p>
<p id="N1ekji">That, my friends, is called a luxury problem. Congratulations on a beautiful game, Deuce. Go Knicks!</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/28/24114507/all-nine-three-pointers-from-deuce-mcbrides-career-night-in-torontoRussell Richardson2024-03-28T11:00:00-04:002024-03-28T11:00:00-04:00Knicks Bulletin: “To come back like that right out the gate is a great sign.”
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Toronto Raptors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_XFI9x_8yP6lRC-3_Wo5zg7JiiU=/54x0:7260x4804/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238870/2110568991.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>We have Thibs, Mitch, Deuce, DiVo,... and even a brief cameo by Darko in today’s quote board!</em></p> <p id="kxbFq5">The Knicks flew north of the border to play basketball on Canadian soil and found no opposition.</p>
<p id="dsMqp9">A hapless Raptors team that has stunk all season was without many of their starters on Wednesday, making it easy for New York to trounce them to the tune of a 145-101 dub in the return of Mitchell Robinson to the court for the first time in 50 games.</p>
<p id="R870jn">Here is what the protagonists of the affair had to say before and after the game.</p>
<h2 id="XZqLbl">Tom Thibodeau</h2>
<p id="LPvOb7"><em>On New York dishing out a season-high 37 dimes against the Raptors on Wednesday...</em></p>
<p id="JrhgCG">“I thought we created shots for each other, created advantages, trusted the pass. We got into a good rhythm, and then I thought our defense picked up in the second half. Everything matters, and so the challenge for us is to keep getting better.”</p>
<p id="74HAb6"><em>On having Mitchell Robinson back and what to expect from him...</em></p>
<p id="90s1hn">“It’s a long layoff, so just get started with the next process and the next step for him. I think every player is different, brings different strengths to the team. With Mitch, we know [it’s] the shot-blocking, the rim protection, pick-and-roll defense, the pressure on the rim. And the offensive rebounding is obviously we think the best in the league. So all those things, they’re selfless things that help make the team a lot better. So we’re glad to have him back.”</p>
<p id="RUobTX">“You never know what to expect but [this game was] a good baseline for us. I liked the way he moved. He’ll get better and better each day.”</p>
<p id="HwLKPY"><em>On the </em><a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com"><em>Knicks</em></a><em> having one of the best rebounding units in the League...</em></p>
<p id="mOws7Z">”We think our rebounding has been one of our big strengths all year long. And even though we’re undersized, Hart is a great rebounder. Our reaction to the ball is good, but I like having a big team and I think you see for us, that’s one of our strengths.”</p>
<p id="0EbN3o"><em>On finding positive things in a sea of negatives... </em></p>
<p id="gXIwqp">“I think you look at your team and you ask yourself what are the strengths of our club? Sometimes you don’t really know how good it is.”</p>
<p id="fyydVH">“When Mitch went down, Mitch was playing as well as any center in the league. And Isaiah stepped in and played great. And then what gets lost sometimes is when Jericho stepped in, Jericho has done a really good job. And when we made the trade [with the Raptors] and Precious came in... we’ve got great depth at that position and we like that.”</p>
<p id="7JZTbe"><em>On OG Anunoby’s rehab process...</em></p>
<p id="giEo3k">“Just allowing it to calm down and each day it’s a little better, but be patient, and get through it.”</p>
<h2 id="ZfzZOJ">Mitchell Robinson</h2>
<p id="cN780o"><em>On his feelings following a 50-game absence...</em></p>
<p id="otakAg">“I believe my defense is kind of there. I think I still got a little bit to work on for that, but the shot-blocking is still there. That’s usually what I do, and for me to miss a couple months and come back and return to it like that right out the gate is great. It’s a great sign.”</p>
<h2 id="rf8tBB">Donte DiVincenzo</h2>
<p id="sUbAkf"><em>On having Mitchell Robinson back for the first time since December...</em></p>
<p id="t6qpvw">“It was great just to have him out there, just to have him happy. Just his spirit, it really is contagious for us, not to mention what he brings on the defensive end.”</p>
<h2 id="1BAoWf">Jalen Brunson</h2>
<p id="53dR8a"><em>On not overlooking any opponent no matter who that is...</em></p>
<p id="kc9PYe">“When you are playing teams who aren’t at full strength, no matter what the situation is, you can’t just walk into that game and think it’s going to be easy. These guys are NBA players, coached by NBA coaches and they’ve worked really hard to get to this point. So they’re all good players. It doesn’t matter the situation of who’s playing or not.”</p>
<p id="QC4WcJ">“We have to go out there and play the same way every time. I’ve heard that since I’ve been a kid from Thibs, my dad, pretty much every single coach I’ve had. So I think that is ingrained in my mind.”</p>
<p id="D2x902"><em>On playing as much as possible without resting or sitting out games out of precaution...</em></p>
<p id="6G1Vf4">“Definitely, when you’re available you should be able to play. It’s always been my mindset. I haven’t really thought any other way.”</p>
<p id="UWM8m3">”Obviously, we’ve been banged up a lot so our availability has been limited. But I think most guys on this team if not all, have the mindset that if they’re good to go, they’re going to go as hard as they can and play.”</p>
<p id="0nJcNR"><em>On being eligible to sign a contract extension next summer up to $156.5 million after appearing in 65-plus games...</em></p>
<p id="9arFAG">“Obviously, that’s a thing that you want, to have security. But I’m just focusing on finishing the season, doing the best we can to make sure everyone’s back healthy, and just doing my part. That’s at the forefront of my mind and I’ll worry about that stuff later.”</p>
<h2 id="Vjf2fU">Miles McBride</h2>
<p id="nuWzGM"><em>On what having a bunch of big boys behind him on the court means to him and his game...</em></p>
<p id="kpmGd2">“Isaiah (Hartenstein) has done great all year. Jericho (Sims) stepped in. Precious (Achiuwa) stepped in. But having Mitch back there as a defensive anchor, it’s huge for us. Especially as a defensive-minded guard, just knowing I have somebody back there that can protect the rim. Then offensive rebounding—that speaks for itself, just the way he’s able to go after the ball.”</p>
<h2 id="IHF9J2">Darko Rajakovic (Toronto Raptors Head Coach)</h2>
<p id="WQUPre"><em>On Big Mitch...</em></p>
<p id="SJ4VV0">“Mitchell Robinson, when he checked in, looked like a giant out there.”</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/28/24114303/knicks-bulletin-to-come-back-like-that-right-out-the-gate-is-a-great-signAntonio Losada2024-03-28T10:09:17-04:002024-03-28T10:09:17-04:00Why the Knicks’ top-10 offensive rating is so unorthodox and unique
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Los Angeles Clippers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o0p4OHOXNEyftMRXMG8B8z-axbA=/0x0:5286x3524/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238726/1248044420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Get you a big, or two, or three, or four, that can do this for your team</p> <p id="iq7N4S">The <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> have established themselves as a very solid, if not great, team this season by spending much of the year swapping between the third and fourth seed in the East and being a mainstay among the top 10 teams in offensive rating for much of the season. And the best part of it isn’t just that they’ve had a relatively good offense, it’s that they’ve done so in a very unconventional way. Now, passionate and avid Knicks fans who watch the games likely know what I’m talking about here but for the more casual fan or for people who may not know as much about basketball, it may be shocking just how unorthodox the Knicks’ way of maintaining a high offensive rating may be. </p>
<p id="vW2HXI">Let’s start with pace. We live in an age where pace matters a lot in basketball. It’s not the end all be all, because shooting, ball movement, tough shot-making, and spacing all matter a lot too but how fast a team plays can often be a major contributor to a good offensive rating. Currently, the Knicks are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING">10th in the league in offensive rating at 117</a> but are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=D&sort=PACE">dead last in pace</a>. To put that into context, six of the top 10 teams in terms of offensive rating are 15th or higher in the league in pace. </p>
<p id="gMxVrE">New York has also managed to be a top-10 offense despite ranking low in assist percentage, which is a bit of a rare sight given its tendency to not be very sustainable. But the Knicks have relied a lot on a high level of individual shot creation and shot-making from the likes of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle this season and it led to them having the second-worst assist percentage in the league and being only one of two top 10 offenses in the league with an <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=D&sort=AST_PCT">assist percentage under 60%</a>. </p>
<p id="80TCGz">The Knicks also have the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=D&sort=TS_PCT">worst true shooting percentage among teams ranking top 10 in offensive rating</a>, have the<a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=D&sort=EFG_PCT"> worst effective shooting percentage among teams that are in the top 13 in offensive rating</a>, and are also one of just two teams in the league that rank both top 10 in offensive rating and <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=D&sort=TM_TOV_PCT">bottom 10 in turnover percentage</a>. Not to mention they also struggle mightily late in the shot clock, evidenced by the stat shown below. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The New York Knicks have attempted 717 FGA (!) with 0-4 seconds remaining on the shot clock this season - most in the NBA<br><br>They shoot 43.8 EFG% on these FGA and 55.1 EFG% on all other FGA. New York executing their offense quickly will be crucial come playoff time. <a href="https://t.co/C5bZCnQBv9">pic.twitter.com/C5bZCnQBv9</a></p>— NBA University (@NBA_University) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA_University/status/1772658302289146088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="TIIWPo">So how does this team, one that doesn’t get a lot of assists, plays at a slow pace, doesn’t shoot the ball efficiently, and turns the ball over a decent amount, have one of the top offensive ratings in the league? It mostly comes down to offensive rebounding and second-chance points. </p>
<p id="PLcwNl">Now, the aforementioned incredible individual performances of Brunson and Randle have a lot to do with it as well but it can be very difficult for two players, no matter how good they are, to elevate a team’s offense that much by themselves. They usually need help. And that help has come in the form of their bigs, who have, both offensively, and defensively, been the unsung heroes of this team. </p>
<div id="dFwe4J">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Total offensive rebounds this season:<br><br>Mitchell Robinson: 112 (in 613 minutes) <br>Myles Turner: 106 (in 1,883 minutes)<br>Brook Lopez: 101 (in 2,118 minutes)<br>Evan Mobley: 94 (in 1,288 minutes)<br>Karl-Anthony Towns: 91 (in 1,969 minutes)<br>Kristaps Porzingis: 86 (in 1,479 minutes)<br>Joel…</p>— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1773049651781853202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="xCSLnr">This season, the Knicks have four players that rank in the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/offensive-rebounding?dir=D&sort=OREB_CHANCES">top 27 in offensive rebounds chances</a> with Mitchell Robinson leading the league, and Isaiah Hartenstein, Precious Achiuwa, and Randle all making the cut, with the first three players all ranking <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/nba/stats?category=rebounding&sort=orpg&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc">top 20 in offensive rebounds per game this season</a>. Heck, even Jericho Sims ranks <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?CF=MIN*G*550&PerMode=Per36&dir=A&sort=OREB">36th in the league in rebounds per 36 minutes among players who have played 550 or more minutes</a>. And it’s very noticeable too. If you tune in to almost any Knicks game this season, chances are their relentless offensive rebounding effort allows them to erase some of their shooting woes and buys them enough possessions and opportunities for their tough shot-making to help them get by. </p>
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<p id="FxtpqS">This allows them to play a brand of basketball where they slow the game down, and use their physicality and size to wear opponents down, something we saw them do successfully, not just this year, but also last season against the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Is it the most pretty or entertaining brand of basketball? Nope. Is it always sustainable and proven to work against every team in the playoffs? Also no. As long as Anunoby and Randle remain out and the offense looks iffy, it’ll be an area of concern that will likely determine how far, or not far, this team goes in the playoffs. But it’s given them an identity, one that’s worked now for two seasons, and they’ve been able to hold on to one of the better offensive ratings in the league for a while now and that’s something. </p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/28/24114485/why-the-knicks-top-10-offensive-rating-is-so-unorthodox-and-uniqueKento Kato2024-03-28T08:00:00-04:002024-03-28T08:00:00-04:00Knicks 145, Raptors 101: "Will the Knicks make another coach cry postgame?"
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Toronto Raptors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OYd_rfdUhao4ZCvi6ZSatp32BPs=/0x161:6245x4324/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238358/2110569076.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Mitchell Robinson returned and Toronto had no chance.</em></p> <p id="M1Dn3t">The Hogtown Dinosaurs (<a href="https://www.toronto.com/news/top-8-nicknames-for-the-city-of-toronto/article_08dc0c45-bf6d-5481-8af4-2869db965158.html?">no disrespect</a>) lost a game to the visiting <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> on Wednesday, 145-101.</p>
<p id="1sz2Bo">That’s no type, mind you. And by that I mean none of the above.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">my god <a href="https://t.co/vcEET4VNa9">https://t.co/vcEET4VNa9</a> <a href="https://t.co/CGoUq0CSlC">pic.twitter.com/CGoUq0CSlC</a></p>— Teg (@IQfor3) <a href="https://twitter.com/IQfor3/status/1773164896512790756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="TkOdtA">The Raptors were not the team hosting the Knicks yesterday. The Canadian folks couldn’t count on four of their starters including Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, and Sottie Barnes. They couldn’t deploy elite gambler Jontay Porter either. Someone named Javon Freeman-Liberty started at guard and logged 28 minutes (he wasn’t <em>bad</em>, finishing with 14 points and 5 rebounds).</p>
<p id="P9tkrK">It was that type of game, on paper and on the court. </p>
<p id="gXncJw">That’s why the Knicks ran the remmants of the Raps out of their own building, and quickley (pun intended).</p>
<p id="I3K24V">New York scored 45 points in the first frame alone. They bagged 35 more before the halftime break, racking up 80 in the first half for a franchise-season-high through the first couple quarters. Twas fantastic.</p>
<p id="opoWWn">Don’t think they ever relented, my friends, as they put the clamps so hard on the Raptors that (yes, even diminished and banged-up wildly) Toronto could only log back-to-back 21-point frames to wrap up the game. Sheesh, The Six...</p>
<p id="0ypJHq">Meanwhile, New York kept dropping buckets in bunches, making it 145 overall and 65 in the second half alone. No two quarters of this game combined saw the Raptors reach more than 59 points. Just imagine!</p>
<p id="sUkh8e">It’s fair to assume that, has this thing been a competitive tilt, Deuce McBride could have easily snatched the 3-point, single-game record from Donte DiVincezon’s lap just 48 after the Italoamerican wrote his name in the Knickerbocker history books.</p>
<p id="dlOa1Y">Deuce hit 10-of-17 shots from the floor, went 9-of-14 from 3-point range, and fell just a couple long-range bangers from matching DiVo’s greatness north of the border of all places. Coulda been <em>Magnifique! </em>(In any case, I’m happy how it turned out to be.)</p>
<p id="8Vxt0Z">Did I mention that Mitchell Robinson made his anticipated, three-months-long comeback? He did, playing a short-but-sound 12 minutes and scoring 8 points to go with 2 rebounds. He swatted a couple rocks... how could he not? Look good, play good.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“When somebody’s like twice your size, there’s not much you can do…When Mitchell Robinson checked in, he looked like like a giant out there.”<br><br> — Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic <a href="https://t.co/YXs3majbR9">pic.twitter.com/YXs3majbR9</a></p>— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1773222190667698579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="8wUO0F">More wood to your fire. I feel you, Darko. <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24112569/game-thread-new-york-knicks-at-toronto-raptors-march-27-2024#comments"><em><strong>BingBongRauinedUs</strong></em></a><em><strong> </strong></em>does, too: “Will the Knicks make another coach cry in the post game?”</p>
<p id="xAfRc6">I could spend more time, more digital ink, more words, and all you want here talking about a game-no-game that ended in a victory that was so easy to predict that Porter would have stayed off it.</p>
<p id="zYwQSa"><em>“Newbies,” was heard in the background.</em></p>
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<p id="Az8y6N">The important thing is that one of the Three Wonded Knicks is finally back. The other not-so-important-but-still-impactful thing worth noting in this recap is simple. New York is entering Friday in sole possesion of the No. 3 seed in the East.</p>
<p id="yldx5I">Milwaukee, We’ Comin’.</p>
<div id="RbGbw4">
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@cubuffsfootball/video/7175587334182685995" data-video-id="7175587334182685995" data-embed-from="oembed" style="max-width:605px; min-width:325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@cubuffsfootball" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cubuffsfootball?refer=embed">@cubuffsfootball</a> <p>We coming. <a title="gobuffs" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/gobuffs?refer=embed">#GoBuffs</a> <a title="coachprime" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coachprime?refer=embed">#CoachPrime</a> <a title="coloradofootball" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coloradofootball?refer=embed">#coloradofootball</a> <a title="skobuffs" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/skobuffs?refer=embed">#skobuffs</a> <a title="deionsanders" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/deionsanders?refer=embed">#deionsanders</a> <a title="football" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/football?refer=embed">#football</a> <a title="primetime" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/primetime?refer=embed">#primetime</a> </p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Colorado Buffaloes Football" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7175587323039189803?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Colorado Buffaloes Football</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
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<p id="eoKuja">And guess what? We Ain’t Hard To Find.</p>
<p id="DtnVxK"><em>Go Knicks!</em></p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/28/24114305/knicks-145-raptors-101-will-the-knicks-make-another-coach-cry-postgameAntonio Losada2024-03-27T21:57:16-04:002024-03-27T21:57:16-04:00Scenes from a 44-point obliteration of the Toronto Raptors.
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<img alt="New York Knicks v Toronto Raptors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IQSRsPVy14SYDgxPb7N_E-O16jY=/0x0:4888x3259/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237760/2110567643.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Knicks 145, Raptors 101: Deuce McBride hits a new career-high of three-pointers, Jalen Brunson adds 26, and Mighty Mitch returns in another wire-to-wire win.</p> <p id="aREPwY">On Wednesday night, the<a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/"> New York Knicks</a> (44-28) faced off against a depleted <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> (23-50) squad at the Scotiabank Arena. These aren’t the Kawhi Leonard-led, champion Raptors of a few years ago. Tonight the Canadians played without Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl, and the game looked more like a practice scrimmage than an NBA contest.</p>
<p id="0cgBG0">In the first half, Mitchell Robinson made a mighty return, contributing defensively and offensively, while Miles McBride led the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> with a searing shooting performance, scoring 20 points. By intermission, New York had scored 80 points, their highest first-half total of the season. Overall, the Knicks would hit 22-of-44 from downtown, the second-most in franchise history (24 on 10/22/21). Their lead would reach 44 points—their biggest of the season—in the second half as they breezed to a 145-101 win.</p>
<p id="MHqvMZ">Cleveland lost to the Charlotte Hornets, so tonight’s win gives New York sole possession of third place in the East. Huzzah! New York has logged 13 wire-to-wire victories this season, the most in the NBA. McBride led all scorers with 29 points, seven assists, and a new career-best of nine three-pointers. He had a plus-minus of +40 (!). Jalen Brunson added 26 points and seven assists. From the bench, Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 18 bench points and Precious Achiuwa flexed with 19 points and 13 boards (seven offensive). </p>
<p id="YQnU5m">As for New York’s centers, Isaiah Hartenstein collected 15 points, four boards, and two stocks in 19 minutes; Robinson logged eight points, two boards, and two blocks in his 12 minutes. Is there a better center tandem in the league? Nyet!</p>
<h2 id="ujTiiF"><strong>First Half</strong></h2>
<p id="jES8GM">Holy smokes! Deuce McBride was Johnny Flame from downtown, hitting 6-of-8 in the first period. With little resistance, New York jumped out to a 17-point lead. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> ️DEUCEEE <br><br>3/3 from deep <a href="https://t.co/QtL9RZvYbn">pic.twitter.com/QtL9RZvYbn</a></p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1773134956211953740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="lyBi0u">At the five-minute mark, Mitchell Robinson checked in for Isaiah Hartenstein. In his first game since December 8, Mitch showed no signs of favoring his surgically repaired ankle through the first quarter. He blocked one shot, grabbed an offensive rebound, and scored two easy buckets at the rim. The Blockness Monster is back, folks!</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mitch is BACK! <a href="https://t.co/jzcbzKrN1E">pic.twitter.com/jzcbzKrN1E</a></p>— Knicks Fan TV (@KnicksFanTv) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksFanTv/status/1773138893258285208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="rSc13Z">The Knicks poured on the points to win the first quarter 45-33. In the second, a pair of Toronto triples brought them within 10 points, before an 11-0 run gave New York 60 points and a 21-point lead with 7:30 left in the half. By intermission, they had run up the score to 80-59. That’s the most they’ve scored in a first half this season, beating their previous best of 75 (Jan. 5 in Philly).</p>
<p id="BdiUF2">Seriously folks, Hartenstein and Robinson give the Knicks the league’s best 1-2 punch at the center position. My goodness, here’s more Mitch goodness. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Knicks, who have posted the best Defensive Rating in the NBA in March, just added a backup big who was a legit DPOY candidate in December - who they can casually bring off the bench lol <a href="https://t.co/TtlpBcR7Og">pic.twitter.com/TtlpBcR7Og</a></p>— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1773141980173775092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="UE1lky">In the first half, the visitors had outshot the home team 61% to 54% from the floor. Both teams had hit 50% of their longballs: Knicks 12, Raptors eight. The ‘Bockers had outrebounded the Raps, 23-10, and had swatted five blocks. </p>
<p id="2ZbACT">McBride led all scorers with 20 first-half points on 7-of-12 shooting, and Jalen Brunson was close behind with 17. For Toronto, rookie Gradey Dick led the way with 15 points and no rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, or fouls in 17 minutes. What a statline!</p>
<h2 id="BtQMaG"><strong>Second Half</strong></h2>
<p id="fdBpNx">Neither team offered much defense to start the second half. There was more Dick action on Toronto’s end as the rookie set a new career-high, while Deuce converted his seventh triple, a new career-best. Impossibly, the Knicks had 90 points before they’d crossed the median of the third frame.</p>
<p id="uB5mRJ">Not to be overlooked, Jalen Brunson kept rolling. He swishes a casual trey in the following clip. A few minutes later, Brunson would draw his 29th charge of the season, second-most in the NBA. New York was up by 24 points, but he still stepped in front of a freight train to draw the offensive foul. Toughest point guard in the NBA.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">the man can score from anywhere <a href="https://t.co/y6h85O2tFG">pic.twitter.com/y6h85O2tFG</a></p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1773154500909396294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="Tp3Mh5">New York entered the final frame with a 111-80 lead. Shake Milton checked in early. The Raptors scored six unanswered points and were still behind by 30. Even with that lopsided score, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout to chastise his team for a few lackluster defensive sequences. Knicks basketball—there’s nothing like it.</p>
<div id="ce6z4P">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">PRECIOUS ACHIUWA POSTER <a href="https://t.co/pDiUHw1QSN">pic.twitter.com/pDiUHw1QSN</a></p>— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksClipss/status/1773164303220166769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="Z9iL34"><strong>Up Next</strong></h2>
<p id="cF0sJE">On to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Friday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.</p>
<p id="1eV8hw"><a href="https://www.nba.com/game/nyk-vs-tor-0022301053/box-score">Box Score</a></p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24114155/scenes-from-a-44-point-obliteration-of-the-toronto-raptorsRussell Richardson2024-03-27T19:00:00-04:002024-03-27T19:00:00-04:00Game Thread: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors, March 27, 2024
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<img alt="Toronto Raptors v New York Knicks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZzkXpzVKJdyPoVFHxywBAcQlP3Y=/0x204:3680x2657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237514/1456972397.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Knicks seek to beat the reeling Raptors and complete the season sweep.</p> <p id="aREPwY">On Wednesday night, the<a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/"><strong> New York Knicks</strong></a> (43-28) travel to the frosty north country to face the Toronto Raptors (23-49). The Knicks won their three previous matchups and are looking for the sweep. The Raptors have lost 11 straight. The big news tonight, of course, is the report that Mitchell Robinson will be active.</p>
<p id="HvKiib">He’s baaack! Crack open that broom closet! Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">RaptorsHQ</a>. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool. And go Knicks!</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24112569/game-thread-new-york-knicks-at-toronto-raptors-march-27-2024Russell Richardson2024-03-27T16:30:38-04:002024-03-27T16:30:38-04:00Game Preview: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors March 27, 2024
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<img alt="NBA: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hxYwbMD3siQngC6Y4YRLdrHWCR4=/647x117:3437x1977/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237223/usa_today_15383151.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Knicks looks to make it three in a row against a struggling Raptors team in the midst of an 11-game losing streak</p> <p id="fMdgCo">After a dominating win against the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> (43-28) travel up north to take on the 23-49 <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. And the big news of the day: <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113718/mitchell-robinson-set-to-return-to-action-tonight">Mitchell Robinson is expected to be back in action for our heroes</a>.</p>
<p id="2ISJKk">The Raptors have been on almost the exact opposite trajectory as the Knicks. Toronto hasn’t seen former Knicks Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett play in a game together since March 7, and have been without Scottie Barnes since March 1. Unsurprisingly, they have lost 11 consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Knicks followed up a tough but successful 3-1 west coast road trip with a pair of wins against the Nets and the Pistons, and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games. A win tonight would extend their current win-streak to three, complete a <a href="https://www.landofbasketball.com/head_to_head_gl/knicks_vs_raptors_game_log_season.htm">season series sweep</a> against Toronto, and keep them in the hunt for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p id="KaXPXp">With the aforementioned Quickley and Barrett missing a significant amount of time recently, the Raptors have struggled offensively, <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=D&sort=OFF_RATING">ranking dead last in the league in offensive rating in March</a>, and their defense hasn’t been much better—<a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=D&sort=DEF_RATING">25th in the league in defensive rating</a>. All in all, this should be an easy game for the Knicks, who are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=A&sort=NET_RATING">fourth in the league in net rating in March</a>. </p>
<h2 id="9QHloa"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="H5SrA7">ESPN.com favors the Knicks to win by 83%. This has all the makings of another easy and dominating win. The Knicks have been playing well as of late and will only be stronger with Robinson back on the court. Meanwhile, the same cannot be said for the Raptors, who will continue to be without Quickley and Barrett. </p>
<p id="UBR25t">New York has played down to competition at times, allowing lesser teams to stay in games, but they have been among the league’s best against teams under .500 this season, and there’s no reason to believe that tonight will be any different. Expect the Knicks, who are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/traditional?dir=A&sort=REB">fourth in the league in rebounds per game</a>, to have a large advantage there against a Raptors team that has given up the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/opponent?Month=6&dir=D&sort=OPP_REB">most rebounds per game this month</a>, and ride it to a 110-95 victory. </p>
<h2 id="wBvbNH"><strong>Game Details</strong></h2>
<p id="vfSHsr">Who: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors</p>
<p id="0mCF9I">When: 7:30 pm EST, Wednesday, March 27, 2024</p>
<p id="2bkZos">Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON</p>
<p id="bA2QVd">Watch: MSG</p>
<p id="VdNoSU">Follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/ptknicksblog"><strong>@ptknicksblog</strong></a></p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113915/game-preview-new-york-knicks-at-toronto-raptors-march-27-2024Kento Kato2024-03-27T14:58:49-04:002024-03-27T14:58:49-04:00Mitchell Robinson set to return to action tonight
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<img alt="NBA: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f3gms3WoCikh4jn7GvIP2R8zVSg=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73236983/usa_today_22095181.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Finally, some good news from Woj.</p> <p id="uZGbi0">Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over.</p>
<p id="s35XsY">After missing 50 games of action, Mitchell Robinson will return to the floor tonight for the New York Knicks. Robinson was upgraded to questionable earlier this morning, and is now expected to be available to play tonight, per Woj.</p>
<div id="X5iuNz">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mitchell Robinson is expected to be active and available to play for the Knicks tonight, sources tell ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/268caiNp9p">https://t.co/268caiNp9p</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1773030853028852159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="y3PCCC">If you recall, Robinson was in the midst of perhaps his best professional season yet when he went down with an ankle injury. Through 21 games, Robinson was averaging career highs in minutes and rebounds, keeping his fouls way down, and had blossomed into one of (if not the) best offensive rebounders in the entire league. </p>
<p id="EgWA7Z">Despite only averaging 6.2 points per game, Robinson was offering elite rim protection and rebounding. He averaged 10.3 rebounds per game, and paired that with strong defensive production, totaling 1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals per outing as well. His offensive game had slipped a bit, but was on pace to be the second player to average at least 5.3 offensive boards per game this century, with only Andre Drummond as company.</p>
<div id="IK7ULT"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hc5T5Gae8WQ?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="HmGQ4I">In the midst of Robinson’s injury, Isaiah Hartenstein slid into the starting lineup for the first time in his NBA career. I-Hart flourished in a starting role, posting 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. It remains to be seen who Coach Thibs keeps in the starting lineup, but the two now will combine for an elite 48-minute punch at the center spot in the New York rotation.</p>
<p id="QhKTRy">Now in his sixth NBA season, Robinson has only appeared in more than 70 games once in his NBA career, and his durability remains a serious question. With that said, as the Knicks prepare for a playoff push, a healthy Robinson is imperative for a New York team looking to make a run. A few games to tune up should go a long way for Mitch, and the fan favorite looks to be back in form as we approach the postseason.</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113718/mitchell-robinson-set-to-return-to-action-tonightSam Stein