Knicks tie franchise record with 84-point first half in 135-105 rout of Bulls
The Knicks led Chicago 84-52 at halftime, tying a franchise record from 1988, and won 135-105 at the Garden to get back to .500.
For most of the first two weeks, the Knicks' trouble was the first half. On Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden it was where they did their best work. New York put up 84 points before halftime, led the Chicago Bulls 84-52 at the break and cruised to a 135-105 win that brings the team back to 4-4.
The 84 points matched the franchise record for a first half. According to Field Level Media, the old mark came on Nov. 18, 1988, in a game the Knicks went on to lose 137-135 to Philadelphia. The New York Post noted that it is also the most points New York has scored in any half at the current Garden. The Associated Press reported that this was the first time the franchise had scored at least 40 points in each of the first two quarters. The Knicks led 43-21 after one quarter and won the second 41-31.
The turnaround is a big one. Going into the game, the Post reported, New York was scoring 51.6 points per first half, third-worst in the league, and making 39.2 percent of its first-half shots, the worst mark in the NBA. Against Chicago the Knicks shot 25-for-40 before the break, made 10 of 20 from 3-point range, and went 24-for-26 at the free-throw line. The Bulls attempted six free throws in that half.
Jalen Brunson had 26 of his 33 points by halftime. He shot 8-for-11 in the half, including 4-for-6 from deep. OG Anunoby scored all 18 of his points in the first half and made 11 of 12 free throws, which Field Level Media said tied his career high for made free throws. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson scored 10, and so did Dalton Knecht in his Knicks debut.
Mike Brown pointed to the team's spacing and pace. "Our re-spacing was really quick and really decisive," the coach said, per the Post. Because the lead was 113-79 after three quarters, all five starters sat out the fourth. The Post noted that the team has been talking about fatigue after a short offseason, so the rest mattered as much as the record.
What it means for Saturday in Cleveland
After an 0-3 start that included losses to Philadelphia, Boston and Orlando, the Knicks have won four of their last five. Two of those wins came against Chicago, 133-127 on the road and now this 30-point game at home. The Bulls make it hard to read too much into that: Chicago has lost six straight, and the AP reported that every team to face the Bulls this season has scored at least 124 points.
The next game is a tougher one. New York plays at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Nov. 7, on NBA TV and DAZN CLE. It is the first road game since the 98-93 loss in Philadelphia, and the Knicks are 1-2 away from home so far. The open question is whether the cleaner early offense lasts against a stronger opponent, or whether the Knicks go back to the slow starts that left them chasing games in October. Resting the starters on Wednesday should help them arrive in Cleveland fresher. Follow the season on our Knicks team page.
