No chance granted! Towns records a double-double, Yang Hansen benched, Avdija scores 25 in vain as Knicks defeat Trail Blazers

On January 12th, Beijing time, in the NBA regular season, the Trail Blazers played at home against the Knicks. Yang Hansen was listed but did not see any court time. The game remained close until the last quarter when the result was determined. The Knicks’ starting lineup all scored double digits, whereas the Trail Blazers depended more on their substitutes. After a hard-fought four quarters, the Knicks secured a 123-114 victory over the Trail Blazers.

Statistical summary:

Knicks: Brunson with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists; Towns with 20 points and 11 rebounds; Anunoby scored 24 points; Hart contributed 18 points; Bridges added 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists

Trail Blazers: Avdija put up 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals; Klingen had 8 points and 8 rebounds; Sharpe scored 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds; Love added 21 points; Lowry scored 12 points; Kamara contributed 11 points

Game progression:

At the start of the first quarter, Avdija was hot, hitting a three-pointer early, but the Knicks quickly responded with an 8-2 run to take the lead. Kamara’s three-pointer tied the game at 8-all. The Knicks then scored five straight points to try to pull away, but the Trail Blazers answered with four consecutive points to stabilize. Afterwards, the Knicks went on an 8-3 run to widen the gap. The Trail Blazers struggled to close the distance. Near the end of the quarter, the Trail Blazers went on a 9-2 run to briefly take the lead, with Bridges hitting a floater to stop the bleeding. Both teams exchanged points until the quarter ended tied at 34-34.

In the second quarter, the teams remained neck and neck, with the score rising alternately and the margin staying tight. Entering the latter half of the quarter, the Knicks finally went on a 7-2 run to create some separation. At a critical moment, Avdija’s layup helped the Trail Blazers cling to the score. Sharpe’s layup cut the deficit to just two points, but Hart responded with a three-pointer. Neither team scored in the final minute. At halftime, the Knicks led 65-60, ahead by five points.

In the third quarter, Brunson scored first trying to extend the lead, Kamara added a floater, and Towns nailed a three-pointer. Brunson also scored on an empty basket, pushing the Knicks’ lead into double digits. The Trail Blazers woke up and started chasing, going on a 7-2 run to reduce the gap back to five points. Bridges hit a crucial three-pointer, and the two sides engaged in a tug-of-war, with the margin hovering around five points. Late in the quarter, the Knicks slowly pushed the lead back to double digits, but the Trail Blazers responded with a 7-2 run to close the third quarter. After three quarters, the Knicks still led 90-85 by five points.

In the final quarter, the Trail Blazers started with a 10-2 run to quickly regain the lead, but Bridges’ mid-range jumper finally stopped the run. Kamara made two free throws trying to extend the lead, but Brunson returned to the court and led a 9-3 run to reclaim the advantage. Klingen and Sharpe scored consecutively, putting the Trail Blazers back in front. Anunoby and McBride hit back-to-back three-pointers, and Hart scored on a put-back as the Knicks went on an 11-0 run to build a double-digit lead. Holiday’s three-pointer stopped the bleeding, and Brunson answered strongly with a three-pointer. Avdija then left the game injured and went to the locker room. Although the Trail Blazers fought hard to catch up, it was not enough. The game ended with the Knicks winning 123-114 over the Trail Blazers.

Starting lineups for both teams:

Knicks: Hart, Anunoby, Towns, Bridges, Brunson

Trail Blazers: Sisoko, Kamara, Klingen, Sharpe, Avdija