New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo got the most points in the victory against the Brooklyn Nets on March 22.
Aside from helping the Knicks get back in the win column, the effort was DiVincenzo’s fourth time scoring 30 or more points and just seven points away from his highest score, which he also set this season.
Afterward, though, DiVincenzo did not hesitate to praise teammate Deuce McBride .
McBride had his second game with over 20 points in the last three games, playing the entire 48 minutes in the win over Brooklyn.
After playing in 18 games out of the first 31, McBride has now played in 37 straight games. He has played 40 or more minutes six times in that period and almost 40 minutes two other times.
“I’m not surprised,” DiVincenzo told reporters on March 22. “Early on in the year, he didn’t play much. But you have to give him credit because most guys in his situation would stop putting in extra work. He does everything, and he’s always ready. So when he's needed and he gets the chance, that’s what happens. He’s ready to go.”
“Honestly, it’s all in the mind,” McBride said during his
media availability in the locker room. “I kept telling myself to keep pushing through and give my all in order to get the win. And when he wasn’t playing?
“I tried to make practice harder than the games,” McBride said. “Doing whatever I can: running on the treadmill, using the bike, and making it game-like in practice as much as possible.”
Tom Thibodeau Praises Donte DiVincenzo, Deuce McBride
McBride joked that he tried not to look over at Head Coach
Tom Thibodeau during the game for fear of being pulled. Thibodeau, though, was highly complimentary of DiVicenzo and McBride during his postgame media availability. “I think both guys hit timely baskets,”
Thibodeau told reporters . “Deuce was excellent defensively because he was chasing[Cam] Thomas around, and Thomas is a tough player to deal with. And then Donte, it may have been his best game. Just on time baskets, big, big plays, and hustle plays defensively.” Thomas led the Nets with 19 points. But he was not effective, shooting 42.9% from the floor and was 1-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Thibodeau also praised Knicks guard
for his “tough plays.” Josh Hart Knicks Keep Pace in Eastern Conference Playoff Race
The Knicks are holding off the
Orlando Magic for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Orlando suffered a 109-107 defeat against the Sacramento Kings , slightly improving the Knicks’ position.New York has the easier remaining strength of schedule,
according to Tankathon , which could be crucial with Orlando winning the regular season series 3-1.Both teams have a 7-3 record in their last 10 games.
The Knicks also stayed 1.0 games behind the third-place
Cleveland Cavaliers . Cleveland has lost two games in a row and lost their regular season series against the Knicks 2-1, giving New York a potentially important advantage if they finish with the same record.Having won five of their last six games, the Knicks could become an even stronger team if some of their injured players, such as Julius Randle, return.
Julius Randle OG Anunoby and Donte DiVincenzo spoke highly of a teammate following the New York Knicks' victory against the Brooklyn Nets..
