Knicks 109, Hornets 97: Scenes from the third quarter of RJ

The New York Knicks turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, and RJ Barrett went God mode in the third quarter, as the boys in orange and blue stretched their winning streak to seven games. They are now five games over .500. THE KNICKS!

New York played one of their worst defensive halves of the season in the first, allowing 66 points and 13 three-pointers to the Charlotte Hornets. Their stars were misfiring, particularly Barrett, who shot a wretched 1-8 in the first two quarters. The team was saved by rookie Immanuel Quickley, who scored 17 in the first half.

Still, they were down six, and you know Tom Thibodeau was crushing them in the locker room at halftime. Whatever he said worked, because the Knicks came out on fire in the third quarter, turning that deficit into a nine-point lead thanks to RJ, who had 18 points in the period.

RJ shot 6-7 in the quarter, including a blistering 4-4 from beyond the arc. He finished with 24 points.

The game didn’t get too close in the fourth quarter, mostly due to more strong defense and the veteran savvy of PG Derrick Rose, who had 17 points of his own, as well as some tremendous dishes.

Seven friggin’ games! Recap to come.