The Knicks beat the Kings 120-109, and it was a game that went against the odds! Both the Kings and the Knicks were battling for a key spot in the rankings, and both teams were fighting hard. In the first quarter, the Kings exploded, Fox was in a hot state, proficient in three-point and mid-range shooting, and played a 23-11 opening game, leading by 15 points at one point, and the Knicks couldn't help despite multiple timeouts.
In the second quarter, Fox continued to storm and the Kings were on the move. But at a critical moment, the combination of Hart and Brunson became the savior for the Knicks. They scored 19 straight points to tie the trail of 15 points. While the Kings made adjustments, with Sabonis and Keegan Murray also doing well, Brunson's three-pointers were back-to-back and the Knicks had narrowed the gap to eight points by halftime.
In the second half, Fox and Murray came out on top, and the Kings went on an 8-2 run to stretch the deficit to 10 points. However, the Knicks were always able to respond in a timely manner, with Hart and Brunson once again playing key roles, and after three quarters, the two teams were tied.
In the final quarter, the Knicks accelerated, and a wave of 17-2 climax completely brought down the Kings. In the whole game, Fox contributed 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to the Kings, and Sabonis also had an excellent performance of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. The Knicks, on the other hand, relied on Hart's 35 points and 11 assists, as well as Brunson's 31 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, to win in the end. The game cheered Lakers fans, and the Kings' eighth spot in the West was on pins and needles, and the Lakers were expected to overtake them in the rest of the schedule.
And when it comes to the Lakers, their recent form has been unbelievable. The thick eyebrows are in excellent condition, and they are both offensive and defensive in every game, and they feel like they won the championship 20 years ago. And James is a veteran, averaging 27 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game after the All-Star break, and the three-point shooting rate is as high as 48.2%. Interestingly, James' stats this season are even better than they were when he won the championship 20 years ago, which is really beating the years!
The Lakers' recent adjustments have also been very successful, and after Hachimura was promoted to the starter, the team's combat effectiveness has skyrocketed, and they have the strength to compete for the championship. According to the data, the Lakers' win rate is as high as 70.4% since Hachimura's consistent start, which is really impressive.
Considering the current situation, the outlook for the Lakers and Warriors is also worth looking forward to. At present, the Pelicans and Kings have continued to decline in form and have fallen into the play-in zone. If the Lakers can do well in the play-in tournament, they could overtake the Kings and compete with the Warriors for the eighth spot. As for the final playoff standings, the positions of the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Thunder, Clippers, Mavericks, Suns, Lakers and Warriors will also be the focus of attention of fans.
Overall, the season has been extremely competitive, with teams fighting hard for playoff qualification. The rise of the Lakers and the recovery of the Warriors have made the Western Conference playoff landscape even more confusing, and this will also bring fans a more exciting basketball feast!