Knicks 116, Pelicans 106: Scenes from peak fourth-quarter Alec Burks

Wednesday night’s contest in the Big Easy figured to be a clash of styles: The New Orleans Pelicans can score with the best of them, while the New York Knicks like to earn their pay on the defensive end. For three quarters, this was a Pelicans kind of game...but the Knicks held a four-point lead thanks to some scoring majesty of their own.

When the fourth quarter arrived, New York put the game away with their patented late-game formula: nobody on either team can score except for Alec Burks, who rains down holy fire from all over the court. Fourth-quarter Burks arrived just in time for the Knicks on Wednesday, scoring 14 of New York’s 23 points in the period. Burks damn near out-scored the Pelicans as a team; they could only muster 17 points.

Burks can be a frustrating player to watch at times, and I never want to see him run a fast-break again, but he’s been an invaluable addition to the Knicks, especially late in games.

Let us also shout out Julius Randle, who shrugged off a 4-15 shooting performance in the first half to lead all scorers with 32 points.

This is the Knicks’ first four-game winning streak of the season, so let’s enjoy it. Recap to come.