Nikola Jokic is suffocated by the Knicks, while the Nuggets continue to roll for their fifth consecutive win

New York Post

After they made him look average, the best basketball player on the planet declared the Knicks a legit title contender.
“They’re well coached, they’re pushing the pace, and in the half-court they know what they’re doing.
For Anunoby, who scored a career-high 40 points in Denver in late November, there’s something about facing the Nuggets.
And for Towns, who eliminated Jokic in the playoffs last season with the Timberwolves, there’s something about facing the Nuggets.
Now, as Jokic recognized, the Knicks look closer to that status.

POSITIVE

The world’s greatest basketball player declared the Knicks a serious contender for the championship after they made him appear mediocre.

“They are performing incredibly well,” Nikola Jokic remarked. They know what they’re doing in the half-court, they’re pushing the pace, and they’re well-coached.”. They are therefore a very strong team.

“They are the favorites, in my opinion—not the favorites, but the top five contenders for the title. “”.

Jokic, the Nuggets’ triple-double machine, only scored 17 points in New York’s 5-1 victory over Denver on Wednesday, plagued by early foul trouble and agitated by the aggressiveness of the Knicks in the closing minutes.

With 15 assists and 30 points, Jalen Brunson was the standout player on both teams at MSG.

The Celtics, who thrashed the Bulls on Wednesday, are one game ahead of the streaking Knicks (32-16), who have now won back-to-back decisive games after thrashing the Grizzlies on Monday.

Karl-Anthony Towns took credit for stifling Jokic but declined to get sucked into any argument. “I have a lot of experience, if you can take care of the present, the future will take care of itself,” he said.

On 6-for-15 shooting, the former MVP only managed six assists and six rebounds, far below his MVP-caliber averages.

In the NBA, he is among the top players. Thus, it requires teamwork and a willingness to compete and play the game,” Towns stated. All I can say is that I wanted to make things tough for him and force him to constantly consider the pressure we were placing on him.

When a player is that exceptional, you want to make things as challenging as you can. He doesn’t do much thinking or second-guessing, so I believe that’s what our team did. He is incredibly gifted. “.”.

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Jokic’s rhythm was off right away; after roughly two minutes, he was given two fouls.

Jokic missed all but nine of the first half, so the Knicks jumped out to a 12-point lead early on and maintained that lead at the half.

Denver’s defense was in disarray after Brunson took over with 18 points in the third quarter.

The second half was dominated by the Knicks.

Additionally, they have set a franchise record for points over three games with 408 points from back-to-back victories over the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Kings.

“He was simply unique,” Towns remarked of Brunson. Cap is unique. Everyone is aware. He had to perform at his best tonight in order for us to win. And he did it. He is unique for this reason. He is prepared for the moment when his name is called. “”.

Five other Knicks scored in double figures, including OG Anunoby’s 23 points, which helped Brunson.

Anunoby scored 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the first half, continuing his comeback from the end of January.

There’s something about playing the Nuggets that appeals to Anunoby, who scored a career-high 40 points in Denver in late November.

Additionally, there is something about playing the Nuggets that appeals to Towns, who defeated Jokic in the playoffs with the Timberwolves the previous season.

“At this moment, the Knicks are playing at their best,” Denver coach Mike Malone stated. No weakness, in my opinion. And it’s always unsettling to play a team that is playing well. “”.

Given that Denver has been in title contention for the past few years, the Knicks’ record of five wins out of six against the Nuggets (28-19) is surprising.

Jokic acknowledged that the Knicks now appear to be getting closer to that status.

“At the moment, we’re in a good spot,” Brunson stated. I adore the way we are playing. This is something we must keep up. “.”.

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