MVP of the night

New York will play the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas for the first time in its history and can thank Jalen Brunsonwho has carried the Knicks in his last two games, with 35 points against the Raptors and 40 last night in a 132-120 victory for Mike Brown’s troops.

As is often the case, even if OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, but also Josh Hart and others contributed, the New York leader took the match into his own hands to help his team get rid of an Orlando team that was still attractive, even without Franz Wagner and then Jalen Suggs, injured in the second half.

For his coach, Mike Brown, this is another demonstration that makes Jalen Brunson a potential MVP.

“Orlando is a very well-coached team with Jamal Mosley at the helm. They’re physical, they do a good job defensively of trying to separate you from what you’re looking for and what you want to do. But when you have a league MVP candidate in Jalen Brunson, finishing with 40 points, shooting 16/27, that’s what makes MVP easier.” that’s what he did tonight.”, Mike Brown rejoiced. “He scored for us when we couldn’t go through our offensive moves much, things like that. Again, you have to give credit to Orlando, who defended well, but when you have a guy like that who can go forward, keep you in the game, help you get the lead back, and ultimately carry you to the win. It’s being able to see him in a nice environment on the national stage. this… I hope the media and the fans continue to talk about him as the MVP of the league, because he is exactly that.

The determination and confidence of great players

With the two teams tied at 90-90, it was really Jalen Brunson who took control, making three baskets, including a 3-pointer, after sending Anthony Black to the back. New York then went up 102-92 early in the fourth quarter, and Orlando never came back.

“I don’t know. I didn’t do anything special. From a young age I played against older players, I had to be crafty, crafty and I worked on support since the 6th grade, that’s when it started”, he replied about his near-perfect support work to balance his opponents. “I wasn’t thinking it was time to take control of the game. I just knew they had just made a run and we had to step it up. There were these baskets and it was up to me to make them. I was just being aggressive about scoring at that point. And on the 3-pointer he just hit my leg, and I made that point ‘like easy.’

Mike Brown, for his part, highlighted his player’s determination to respond to every challenge. Tonight was another one, which he overcame brilliantly against Magik who tried everything to contain him, but to no avail. Like the legendary players he had under his thumb during his career (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant or Stephen Curry), the coach recognized that Jalen Branson has what makes a great player.

“They have this fierce side, they come back to fight again and again, and that’s their competitive spirit. I can counter them, get double-crossed, hit, all that can happen, but they never stop fighting.”he emphasized. “When you have that, you know your team is in good hands. Because at the end of the day, no matter what defense is set up, how physically he’s going to be in front, he’s going to be there, and you’re going to be able to feel his confidence, and that reflects on everyone, not just his teammates, but also the players on the bench and the staff. Apart from the talent these two players have, it’s tangible.”

The next challenge comes on Tuesday against the Spurs, who managed to defeat the unbeatable Thunder!

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.