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00:07It means the rhythm of the streets, pulsing inside the world's most famous arena.
00:21Oh, what a gorgeous move.
00:25The garden is shaking right now.
00:34There's room for everybody to move to their own beat.
00:40The Rockets will feel it, and the garden will be dancing.
00:49Morant, so smooth.
00:54Brunson puts up a three.
01:04Prime time, Saturday night, New York City, Madison Square Garden, two top teams.
01:09Hard to find a better atmosphere for basketball.
01:12Knicks and the Rockets meeting for the first time this season and for the starting lineups.
01:18Both teams close to being completely healthy.
01:20Obviously, some all-stars, but watch for Tari Eason.
01:24An underrated player has such an impact on winning every single night for the Rockets.
01:29Same thing for the Knicks.
01:30Some all-star players, but watch for Josh Hart.
01:34His impact on this Knick team, night in and night out, so important.
01:38And for the first time tonight, let's say hello to Lisa Salters.
01:41Hey, Lisa.
01:42Hey, Mike.
01:43Well, the Knicks have beaten the Rockets six consecutive times here at Madison Square Garden.
01:47But in order to make that seven in a row, they cannot let Thursday's loss to the Pistons linger.
01:53For the last 48 hours, a lot of the headlines here in New York have been doom and gloom about
01:58how the Knicks were swept by the Pistons in the season series
02:01and about what that could mean as far as confidence in a potential conference finals matchup should both teams make
02:06it that far.
02:07Mike Brown said most of his guys have played here in New York long enough to know that because of
02:12high expectations,
02:13there will always be a lot of outside noise.
02:15But Brown said he did address it at Friday's practice.
02:18He said he told guys, it is what it is, but here's how we can get better.
02:22They watched the tape of that game, saw what they could improve, made the mental corrections,
02:27just did what they had to do.
02:29And after that, Brown said, you've got to move on to the Rockets.
02:32Brown said, you've got to keep it real while giving them hope.
02:35And he said, he feels good about where the group is mentally right now.
02:39All right, Lisa.
02:40So here in New York, like many cities across the country, they tend to overreact to a big win
02:45and certainly overreact to a tough loss.
02:49In New York, of course, sometimes it seems a little bit louder.
02:52Don't expect, though, any lingering effects like this is a veteran team.
02:55Well, it seemed especially loud after the other night because of what happened the first two times they played the
03:00Pistons.
03:00So now they were geared up.
03:02They're going to send a message.
03:03And they didn't really send that message.
03:05The Pistons sent an emphatic one.
03:07But listen, here's the good news.
03:09They don't see the Pistons again, potentially, until you would get them in the postseason.
03:13You've now got to figure out a way to tighten up your areas of weakness.
03:16And this is a great test tonight against another physical team.
03:19Meanwhile, the Rockets came out of the All-Star break.
03:21A good win on the road.
03:23They beat a very hot Charlotte team in Charlotte.
03:26Kevin Durant had a huge game.
03:28And that was their fifth straight road win.
03:30They have become an excellent road team recently.
03:33Now 16 and 13, including some big wins against some of the top teams in the NBA.
03:39Here's Durant.
03:41Durant has had some huge games here.
03:43He loves playing at Madison Square Garden.
03:45Shangoon against Towns.
03:47Trying to draw some contact.
03:48Flips it up on Gold Bridges with the rebound.
03:51Knicks, meanwhile, at home.
03:53Fourth best home record in the NBA.
03:55And Anobi knocks down the three.
03:57That has to feel good for him.
03:59He's been out for a couple of weeks.
04:01The other night, one of eight from three.
04:03And he knocks down his first one tonight.
04:06Thompson with the flush.
04:08And Thompson says hello in the opening minute here at the Garden.
04:12Well, a glimpse of that athletic ability.
04:14The simple crossover.
04:15And he took one dribble from the three-point line.
04:18Saw nobody at the rim.
04:20And took off.
04:22He is one of the most exciting players to watch.
04:25You don't know when the highlight's going to come at either end of the floor.
04:28Darl Anthony Towns rolls in.
04:30His first shot.
04:35Knicks, a much improved defensive team.
04:38Early on in the season, they were struggling defensively.
04:40They played better defense recently.
04:41As Durant gets bumped.
04:43Shangoon's follow won't go.
04:44Thompson to repent.
04:45Back out.
04:46Eason.
04:46And Eason can't get to the fall.
04:48Deflected.
04:49Shangoon trying to save it.
04:50And it's going to be Nick Ball.
04:52Well, this is Armin Thompson.
04:53And you know he's not going to take a lot of outside shots.
04:56But if he gets an angle on you toward the rim, he does not need much space.
05:00And you see right there, his head is practically even with the rim as he finishes.
05:06Now his third year continues to grow to be certainly already one of the best defenders.
05:11As Town spins, Eason almost took him out of his hands.
05:15Well defended.
05:16And Towns throws it away.
05:20Rockets an excellent defensive team.
05:22As they turn it over that time, Josh Hart has a two-on-one.
05:25Finds Brunson.
05:26Brunson missed a layup.
05:28Hart the rebound.
05:29Knocked out of bounds.
05:30And it's going to be Rockets ball.
05:31A rare miss at the rim from Jalen Brunson.
05:33That was uncontested.
05:34You don't see that often.
05:35And the timing of the pass was perfect.
05:37The defender had committed because of how hard the initial push was.
05:41So for Jalen Brunson, you see him shaking his head a little bit.
05:43And he is not used to missing shots that clean.
05:48Rockets, we talk a lot about their defense.
05:50But, of course, the arrival of that man's made a big difference.
05:53They're eighth in the NBA in offensive rating.
05:57And fifth in defense.
05:59Durant finds some space.
06:00Pulls up.
06:01Shot.
06:01Back of the rim won't go.
06:03Bridges throws it ahead.
06:04Ananobi releases.
06:05And this one goes in.
06:07Although that was a little precarious as well.
06:10And Ananobi's now taking advantage of a couple opportunities.
06:12Even the three he hit was a cross match in transition.
06:16And Shingun didn't close out.
06:18Hits his first three.
06:18And now easy break away.
06:20Off to a good start.
06:22Shingun coming off his second all-star appearance.
06:25Good ball movement.
06:27Eason has to put it on the floor.
06:28Stops.
06:29Bridges stays right with him.
06:30Well defended.
06:31Eason's shot.
06:32Gets the nice bounce.
06:38Bridges back to Hart.
06:39Hart finds Towns.
06:41Nick's looking for Towns early.
06:42And Towns already with a couple of buckets.
06:44He only had two points the entire first half against the Pistons in that disappointing loss on Thursday.
06:50I love that he's got three touches in the paint already.
06:53And he's taken advantage of the size mismatch that he has down there.
06:58Two of those three occasions.
07:02Shingun.
07:02Nick's got caught up.
07:03Shingun goes inside.
07:04Kicks it out wide open.
07:05Thompson can't get the three.
07:07Ball knocked loose.
07:08Picked up by Josh Hart.
07:10He quickly throws it ahead.
07:11Too far ahead.
07:13Nick's with their second turnover.
07:16And this is what we talked about in the open.
07:19Carl Anthony Towns just making his presence felt.
07:22And he's here got a weight and size advantage on Kevin Durant.
07:25And that's just not going to get overly complicated.
07:28ABC.
07:29Put your left shoulder into him in a little baby hook.
07:33Shingun in the paint.
07:34That's where he does most of his damage.
07:36He's skipping up the floor.
07:38Is that ball rolling around the rim?
07:41Shingun having an outstanding season.
07:4420 points.
07:45Nine rebounds.
07:46Six assists.
07:47A steal and a half per game.
07:49Brunson.
07:50And Hart.
07:51They give and go.
07:52Kick it out corner.
07:53And an OB.
07:53Off the bounce.
07:54Fake.
07:55Steps back.
07:55Three pointer.
07:56In and out.
07:57And Thompson grabs the rebound.
07:59Thompson also an excellent rebounder.
08:03And a blocking foul is going to be called on Jalen Brunson who immediately signals.
08:07Let's challenge it.
08:08The Knick bench upset.
08:11Coaches don't like to challenge these type of plays early.
08:14And oh, Mike Brown's going to do it.
08:16The Knicks have one of the more successful winning percentages on challenges in the NBA.
08:22They're tied for second.
08:23Let's see.
08:26That does not look.
08:26Oh, that looks.
08:27That looks good for the Knicks.
08:28Yes.
08:29We'll get the result.
08:35Bestful challenge for the Knicks.
08:36Jalen Brunson clearly gets there in time.
08:38So, no defensive foul.
08:41Offensive foul on Changoon.
08:42Brunson now leads the NBA.
08:45In charges drawn.
08:46He's been in the top three the previous two years.
08:49And not afraid to put his body on the line.
08:51It's a great quality.
08:52I don't know if that's much to Mike Brown's chagrin.
08:55That he sees his point guard on the ground quite a bit.
08:58Taking charges on bigger players.
09:00But he stepped in that time.
09:01Forced the turnovers.
09:02Mikael Bridges on the pass from Hart.
09:04That's a two-pointer.
09:05You were surprised though they challenged early.
09:07I just don't think I'd ever challenge that early in the game.
09:10Unless it was to keep a foul off of my star player.
09:15And that's what he did right there.
09:16I'm not even sure they knew right away.
09:18But Brunson was so emphatic that the bench decided to go with it.
09:22They won.
09:23Ball tip won't go.
09:24Towns with the rebound.
09:26Brunson looks to push.
09:27Makes it fish five of their first seven from the field.
09:32The Rockets just three of 11.
09:34That good looks just not falling right now.
09:37Bridges on the drive.
09:38Pulls up against Smith.
09:39Tough shot.
09:39Won't go.
09:40Rebound Thompson.
09:41Thompson averaging a little under eight boards a game.
09:43He's already got four.
09:45That's just love watching this kid play.
09:49He's got such a bounce to his step.
09:51Second in the NBA in minutes per game.
09:57Durant has Ananobi on him.
09:59Pulls up.
10:00Shot.
10:00Won't go.
10:01Towns with the board.
10:04Here's Bridges.
10:05Sees an opening.
10:06But Shingun gets back.
10:08Tough shot that time.
10:09Bridges way off.
10:10Here comes Jabari Smith.
10:14Knocked away by Ananobi.
10:15He forces the turnover.
10:16That's three turnovers now for the Rockets.
10:19That's one area that sometimes they struggle at.
10:22Ananobi gets inside against Shingun and throws it down.
10:25Well right now the Knicks are taking it to.
10:27The Houston Rockets in the first five seconds of the shot clock.
10:30And you're going to see Emei Yudoka address that in this huddle.
10:33The Houston Rockets have to do a better job of getting back.
10:38Here's that defense right here.
10:39Active hands.
10:40Great job.
10:41Surrounding the basketball.
10:43It leads to a situation where the Rockets have imbalance.
10:46And OG Ananobi knows how to finish.
10:56On ABC presented by Wingstop here in attendance tonight.
10:59From the NBA League office.
11:01Randy Ewing and her father.
11:03Meanwhile some other celebs.
11:07Michael Strahan the former Giants All-Pro.
11:10And the current and new Giant head coach John Harbaugh who just got a huge ovation when he was introduced
11:15to the crowd.
11:16Can I be honest as a Commanders fan?
11:19I don't love seeing John Harbaugh in the division.
11:21You should be.
11:22Just putting it out there.
11:24Shingun backs in.
11:25Good defense from Towns then a foul.
11:28Shingun thought there was some contact.
11:29They're letting a lot go down low.
11:32That's two fouls on Shingun.
11:34So Clint Capella is going to get up.
11:36Of course a key missing piece.
11:38Steven Adams had that ankle surgery.
11:41Adam's part of a team that's the best offensive rebounding team in the NBA.
11:44And Adams played such a terrific role for them.
11:47But he's done for the season.
11:48So Nimei Udoka has to mix and match at the center spot.
11:52Jabari Smith might play some more center.
11:54Capella might get some more minutes.
11:57Udoka has done such a fantastic job since coming to Houston.
12:00It's his third year.
12:01What a turnaround.
12:03Brunson gets in the paint.
12:05Shot blocked by Thompson.
12:06There he is right on display.
12:09I mean Thompson racing up the floor.
12:11Throws it behind Smith.
12:12Smith gets inside.
12:13Kicks it out.
12:14Durant checks his feet.
12:15Fires.
12:15And can't hit.
12:17Hart gets the rebound.
12:18Rockets have really struggled.
12:203 for 14.
12:21Durant's 0 for 5.
12:23Bridges to the basket.
12:24Lays it in with a left hand.
12:26And there the Knicks are again.
12:27I mean they're not wasting any time.
12:29The first outlet pass.
12:30That ball is near half court.
12:33Two dribbles.
12:34And they are taking it right at the lane.
12:36Durant.
12:37In and out.
12:38Capella.
12:39Offensive rebound.
12:40Can't get that to fall.
12:41And Ananobi has it.
12:43Nothing dropping right now for the Rockets.
12:45They've gotten great looks.
12:46They also have 4 offensive rebounds already.
12:51Towns drives on Capella.
12:53Shot blocked by Capella as Towns goes crumpling to the floor.
12:57Eason throws it ahead to Smith.
12:59Jabari Smith gets one to go.
13:01Their first 3 pointer.
13:02And Mike Brown quickly calls a timeout.
13:07Some exceptional blocks from the Rockets.
13:09And Clint Capella making his presence felt immediately.
13:13Tremendous timing on this.
13:15Karl-Anthony Towns thought he had an easy one.
13:18Instead got an easy one going the other way.
13:20Kevin Aran, Jalen Brunson.
13:21Two superstars in the spotlight.
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13:30Mike Brown.
13:31Big substitutions.
13:32Landry Schammett.
13:33Mo Dior are the rookie.
13:35Jeremy Sohan who they just signed.
13:37Sohan just his second game as the Knick after being let go by the Spurs.
13:42And Mitchell Robinson has come off.
13:45Reid Shepard getting his first minutes for the Rockets.
13:49Shammett.
13:51Shammett on the drive.
13:53Picks it inside.
13:54Sohan looks up at the shot clock.
13:55Has to put it up.
13:57And an air ball.
13:5824 second violation.
14:00Shammett looks through.
14:01Sohan says that's my fault.
14:03I don't know about all that.
14:05But he did get it kind of late.
14:06And Sohan obviously not a guy that's used to taking mid-range pull up jump shots.
14:10But that was a great defensive possession by the Rockets.
14:13Forcing the ball out toward half court with 10 seconds.
14:16And then a great closeout on Shammett by Terry Issa.
14:19Shepard the backup point guard in his second year is at an excellent season.
14:22Capella has it.
14:24Looking for Durant.
14:26Durant nice feet inside.
14:27And Capella knocks that one down.
14:29You like Shepard.
14:30What have you seen where the growth for Shepard this year?
14:32The confidence levels gone up dramatically.
14:36But I've always liked his athletic ability getting into his own shot.
14:40As you see Kevin Durant that time.
14:42I like how quickly he gave up the basketball.
14:44He didn't hold it.
14:45Wait for the traffic.
14:46As soon as he touched it he saw two.
14:48Capella's got all that space in the lane.
14:50Deliver the basketball.
14:51Here's Diawara.
14:52Goes inside.
14:53High off the glass.
14:54Gets it a go.
14:55Diawara has been a surprise.
14:57His second year or second round player.
15:00Out of France.
15:01It was not expected to be part of the rotation.
15:04But he has really come on nicely.
15:05Shepard though.
15:06Misses badly that time.
15:08Rockets.
15:10Are a good three-point shooting team.
15:12Couple of the key players have been up and down recently.
15:14But overall.
15:15They're an excellent three-point shooting team in terms of percentage.
15:18But they're second to last in attempts per game.
15:2129th in the league.
15:22And I think what they rely on is the middle area of the floor.
15:25Because they've got two guys that can operate comfortably.
15:28And Shingun and Kevin Durant.
15:30So they're going to selectively take threes and shoot a high percentage.
15:34And then just try to beat you in those one-on-one and individual matchups.
15:38From 12 to 18 feet.
15:40Dorian Finney-Smith has come on now for the Rockets.
15:42Sohan gets it.
15:44It's not his strength.
15:45The three-pointer can't get at the ball.
15:47Ball tipped and taken.
15:48Robinson puts it up and in.
15:49Shamit deflected it.
15:50And Robinson with an easy bucket.
15:56Shepard looking.
15:57Sohan guarding him.
15:58Durant lost his sneaker.
16:01Shepard throws it in the corner to Thompson.
16:08Checks his feet again.
16:09Corner three.
16:09Finally gets it a go.
16:11Durant knocks down his first shot.
16:12He was 0 for 6.
16:14Well he knew it was a matter of time.
16:15And that's not an easy shot.
16:17He's drifting backwards toward that corner.
16:19Took a glance down and knew he could get that off easily.
16:22Beautiful pass of Mitchell Robinson.
16:24An impact right away.
16:26Throws it down.
16:26Dior up with a good look.
16:29Durant slips and falls.
16:31Sohan bumped him first.
16:34First foul on Sohan.
16:36It's over to Durant with a smile.
16:38You see Mitchell Robinson.
16:40And just gobbling up that space.
16:42And you have a guard rotating over from the weak side.
16:45He's just too big to root him out of there.
16:47And this is one right here.
16:48Shamit.
16:49Nice job.
16:49But Capella needs to go after that ball a little bit more aggressively.
16:52Get it with two hands.
16:53Instead Shamit knocks it loose.
16:55And Mitchell Robinson is the recipient.
16:59So Diawara and Sohan sit down quickly.
17:03Hart comes back in.
17:04And an OB.
17:05Hart almost got a piece of it.
17:06Durant gets up.
17:07Can't get it to fall.
17:07Fight for the rebound.
17:08Robinson.
17:09Nearly taken by Finney Smith.
17:11And he knocked it off of Hart.
17:13Excellent play from Dorian Finney Smith.
17:15Still working his way back from the offseason ankle surgery.
17:19He forces that turnover.
17:22That's a good pickup for them.
17:23Sure is.
17:24And they've got some forwards who flat out get after it defensively.
17:27With Armin Thompson we've already talked about.
17:29Dorian Finney Smith.
17:30Josh Akogi.
17:31They've got some guys that like to get chest to chest with you.
17:34And put pressure on the basketball.
17:37And trigger some turnovers.
17:42Shepard looking inside.
17:43Now kicks it out.
17:44Thompson off the bounce.
17:47Ball puffed away.
17:48And an OB with a second steal.
17:50Goes down the other end and throws it down.
17:52Knicks defense has been pretty strong early.
17:55Tremendous activity level.
17:56And you see the frustration out of Ema Yudoka telling his guys, take care of the basketball.
18:02Shepard can't get it to fall.
18:03Durant.
18:03The rebound.
18:04Back up and in.
18:05They were amazing on the offensive glass.
18:08The Rockets average 15.6 offensive rebounds per game.
18:12If they finish with that, it'd be the most in the NBA in 23 years.
18:18We've got five already tonight.
18:20And an OB well short an air ball.
18:23We talk about it all the time with the Rockets.
18:26I mean, they get back just under four out of every ten missed shots to give them a second opportunity.
18:34Kevin Durant doing a little bit of Yeoman's work on the glass himself there.
18:40Durant shoots over Ananobi.
18:41And he throws up an air ball in two legs with.
18:44Usually when you have a team that's one of the best offensive rebounding teams,
18:48they're one of the worst shooting teams because there's a lot more opportunities.
18:51But the Rockets are a good shooting team.
18:53They're 11th in the NBA in field goal percentage.
18:55They just go every time.
18:57You know, offensive rebounding a lot of times is personnel,
18:59but it's also a mindset and a commitment to never take a play off.
19:03They're constantly crashing two or three guys.
19:07And an OB.
19:08They have gotten away with a travel there.
19:10Goes inside.
19:10Durant guarding him.
19:12Josh Hart.
19:12Thought about a three.
19:14Thompson right on Brunson.
19:16Brunson's jumper can't get it.
19:17And a rebound poked away nicely by Finney Smith.
19:26Knicks lead by seven.
19:28And Jalen Brunson hasn't scored.
19:310 for 3.
19:33Thompson doing an excellent job.
19:35Durant goes up.
19:35That's just unguardable.
19:41So Durant with his third field goal.
19:44Nothing you can do with it.
19:45You're talking about 6-11 with a handle.
19:48And then at the end of his shots, that natural lean back.
19:51You see, Josh Hart didn't really even get off the ground on that,
19:55but I'm not sure that it's going to matter much.
19:57Look at where he's releasing that basketball.
19:59I mean, his fingertips are up basically the height of the rim when he lets that go.
20:04One of the greatest shooters to ever pick up a basketball.
20:08Sixth all-time now in the NBA career scoring list.
20:13Brunson finds Schammett.
20:15Schammett goes at Shepard.
20:16Inside.
20:16Layup is good.
20:17Tough move from Landry Schammett.
20:21Kind of pulls down the other end.
20:22Durant will bring it up.
20:24Again, Fred Van Vliet, the starting point guard for the Rockets,
20:27who has not played this season.
20:29They've got a kind of mix and match at the point guard position.
20:33A lot of people handling the ball.
20:34Shepard nails that one.
20:36Reed Shepard with his first field goal.
20:37I love the way Reed Shepard floats to the open.
20:40Spot-off penetration.
20:41He waits for his defender to turn his head one direction.
20:44He floats the opposite direction.
20:46And his teammates are now starting to know how to read his movements.
20:50Rockets have a foul to give.
20:52And there it is.
20:52Shepard waits till 6.5 remaining.
20:55We've only had.
20:56That's only the fourth foul.
20:58Here in this first quarter.
21:00And there have not been a single free throw.
21:04So the Knicks will inbound again.
21:07Thompson will get right with Brunson.
21:09Durant will sit.
21:10So Jalen Brunson the other night.
21:12Has to face the Sar Thompson.
21:15And now he gets the men Thompson.
21:16And the Thompson Twins.
21:18Is Eminem chasing him all over the place.
21:20Both of them are just exceptional defenders.
21:23A man who's already made all NBA defense.
21:26Asar is going to make it someday.
21:27They're both incredible.
21:28And in different ways.
21:29Asar is so good.
21:31Sliding his feet laterally off the dribble.
21:32And raking at you while he's sliding.
21:35Thompson's think is that he can time up his contest off the dribble.
21:38So well.
21:40And that's sometimes what happens.
21:42If you.
21:43Have that foul to give.
21:45And then you commit the next one.
21:46And you put Brunson to the free throw line.
21:48Finney Smith his first.
21:49Rare defensive mistake by the veteran.
21:51And the first free throws.
21:53Of the opening quarter.
21:56Those are Brunson's numbers.
21:57Coming off a 33 point gain.
22:00In that loss to the Pistons.
22:01But he had six turnovers.
22:05But he is having a spectacular season.
22:08One of all the different things that he does at his size.
22:11To be able to score at this level.
22:13What impresses you the most.
22:14It's his strength balance and IQ.
22:16It's all of those things in one package.
22:18And I think he's a testament to what you can accomplish.
22:22When you don't have blazing speed.
22:23You don't have a lot of verticality to your game.
22:26You're a young player.
22:27You're a young guard watching Jalen Brunson.
22:29Work on your strength.
22:30With your footwork.
22:31Your balance.
22:32It's amazing what you can accomplish.
22:36All NBA last year.
22:38Made another all-star team this year.
22:40Last year was also the NBA's clutch player of the year.
22:484.6 remaining.
22:51Knicks have a foul to give as well.
22:53Let's see if they use it here.
22:56They throw it ahead to Thompson.
22:58Thompson catches it.
22:59Goes behind the line.
23:00Throws up a three.
23:02And that will end the first.
23:06As Kevin Durant after a slow start.
23:08Got it going a little bit.
23:11Durant.
23:123 of 11.
23:13Already taking 11 shots.
23:14Here at a building that he loves to play in.
23:17The Carl Anthony Towns and the Knicks with the edge early.
23:19Six-point lead for New York after one.
23:28Back to NBA Saturday primetime on ABC presented by Wingstop.
23:32Jabari down six after one.
23:35It seemed like you guys were getting good looks.
23:37What's giving you problems in that first game?
23:39I think we got good looks.
23:41I think we missed some shots.
23:43We got to get back in transition.
23:46They're playing a little fast right now.
23:47We got to slow them down.
23:48And just finish possession of rebounds.
23:50That's hurting us too.
23:50As you settle into this game, what do you guys need to do better on the defensive end?
23:55Finishing possession.
23:56I think rebounding is a big thing.
23:58We usually good at getting an initial stop, but we got to finish possession.
24:01Thanks for your time.
24:02Appreciate it.
24:02All right, Luis.
24:04Rebounding is a big thing for this team.
24:06So emphasized and a huge part of their success.
24:10Ja'Shawn Tate has come on for the Rockets to start the second.
24:12Ananobi, another three-pointer.
24:14And Shangoon has it against Ananobi.
24:16Looking to post up, throws it inside.
24:18Bad pass.
24:19Sixth turnover already for the Rockets.
24:22Yeah, I didn't like that decision.
24:23That ball should have gone cross-court.
24:25You've got two teammates on the weak side, wide open.
24:27And that turnover leads to this.
24:30You're not matched up in transition.
24:31And the Knicks, again, continue to attack.
24:33And Shangoon has two fouls, so he couldn't really defend that.
24:37Here's Jose Alvarado playing in his fifth game as a Knick, the former New York City.
24:41And as a kid, a Knick fan.
24:46Bridges, Alvarado, up top Towns.
24:49Guarded by Thompson.
24:52Six on the 24.
24:54Towns has the height advantage on Tate.
24:56Tate's tough, though.
24:57The Towns still floats it up and in.
24:59Towns three or four from the field.
25:01And the lead is 13.
25:02Much more aggressive tonight.
25:05Looking to get mismatches and rolling guys into the post.
25:09Shepard knocks down his second three-pointer.
25:14Just the eye test.
25:15He's a different player this year.
25:17He's got a bounce to him.
25:18And he actually shoots that three on the dribble handoff.
25:20Better going to his right.
25:22He doesn't shoot as many going left from that distance.
25:25But he's feeling pretty good after knocking down that first one.
25:28Now he's got a second.
25:29Here's Alvarado.
25:31He's already won over the Knick fans.
25:32Gets a nice pass inside.
25:33Towns.
25:34Shot won't go, but he's fouled.
25:36And some rare free throws in this game.
25:42Talk about the skill Karl-Anthony Towns possesses.
25:46A dual threat.
25:46And we know he can shoot the basketball from deep as well as most bigs in this league.
25:51But he also has this ability.
25:52That's great touch.
25:54Not an easy shot from that distance.
25:56Hood and Hook.
25:57And Anobi just taking advantage of Shangu knowing he's got a couple of fouls.
26:01Doesn't want to pick up another.
26:02Beats him off the dribble.
26:04You know, like Towns, because of the high bar he has set throughout his career,
26:08his numbers have always been terrific.
26:11And because they're lower than that season, it's been a struggle at times for him.
26:15His points per game, second lowest.
26:16His three-point percentage was his second lowest.
26:19His field goal percentage.
26:21Time for tonight's national TV schedule brought to you by Dupixen.
26:26ABC on Sunday.
26:27Cleveland at Oklahoma City.
26:28Denver at Golden State.
26:30NBC Peacock Sunday.
26:31Boston at LA.
26:32And NBTV Sunday.
26:33Orlando at the Clippers.
26:36As Towns knocks down another.
26:38So where is he at in terms of, yes, the numbers are lower, but it is a different team.
26:43Where's the balance there?
26:44I think for him it comes down to mindset.
26:47And Mike Brown, you know, he had some good points on this.
26:51Saying, hey, look, some of it is the offense, but some of it is just making sure you get involved
26:56yourself in the flow
26:57and make things happen, as he put it, organically rather than having your number called.
27:02Shingun, nice post in the paint.
27:05Four points for Shingun.
27:06Ten point lead for the Dicks.
27:11Alvarado finding Bridges.
27:13Bridges searching for an opening.
27:16Towns steps back.
27:17Short shot.
27:18Can't get that to go.
27:21The Towns very much a part of the Knick offense here in the first half.
27:28Tops into Shingun.
27:30Finney Smith fires away from the corner.
27:33Rattles around and drops out.
27:35They're now four of twelve from three.
27:39Hart steps up.
27:40His three-pointer won't go.
27:42And Finney Smith the other way.
27:47Shingun poked away by Hart.
27:48But he's called for a reach-in foul.
27:50First on Hart.
27:52And the first team foul.
27:53Rockets will take it out of bounds.
27:55As Eason and Jabari Smith will check back in.
27:59Mitchell Robinson and Shamit for the Knicks.
28:11Shepard will take it out.
28:14Rockets this year.
28:15Against teams above five hundred.
28:17Fifteen and nine.
28:18That's one of the best records.
28:20In basketball.
28:24Smith turns.
28:26Shoots and scores.
28:27Jabari Smith.
28:28Two for two from the field.
28:33Alvarado.
28:34In his second game as a Knick down of Philadelphia.
28:37Had twenty-six points.
28:39Eight three-pointers and five steals.
28:42So already in the second game became a fan favorite.
28:46And a massive chant by the Knicks fans that made the trip down to Philadelphia.
28:50As he continues to light it up that night.
28:53Little hook shot from Towns.
28:54Can't get that to go.
28:57Here's Tari Eason.
29:05Shangun's got Bridges on him.
29:06Wants to take advantage.
29:08Big size advantage for Shangun.
29:10He's double-teamed.
29:11Good pass inside.
29:11And Robinson altered that shot by Tate.
29:14Alvarado ahead to Shamit.
29:16Bridges.
29:17Off the bounce.
29:18Gets in the paint.
29:20Alvarado.
29:21One dribble.
29:22Knocks down the three.
29:24Knicks have only taken seven three-pointers on thirty field goal attempts.
29:29And they're up eleven.
29:30Yeah.
29:31Rockets have actually taken five more threes.
29:33You just don't see that sort of script when these two teams get together.
29:38But the Knicks have been taking what has been available to them offensively.
29:41Alvarado knocks it loose.
29:43Ball still loose.
29:43Shangun comes up with it.
29:45Throws it up in the air.
29:46Alvarado forced that turnover.
29:48That's what he does best.
29:49Tate is really hurt down the other end.
29:50It's a five on four.
29:52Alvarado looking.
29:53Tate's still down on the floor.
29:55And very slow to get up.
29:56And Bridges is foul.
29:57They foul to stop the play.
29:59And Tate coming up limping.
30:03And his bodies were crashing to the floor on that play.
30:10A couple of his teammates and staff are going to come out and help him off.
30:16They show on Tate his sixth year with the Rockets.
30:22He's the longest tenured Rocket.
30:24Here's what happened.
30:26Like a rugby scrum.
30:29See him down there.
30:31And Kyle slams right on his leg.
30:33We'll take a break.
30:34Come back second quarter here from the guard.
30:41Sunday showcase.
30:42Doubleheader.
30:43Cavs and Oklahoma City against the Thunder.
30:45Great game.
30:46One Eastern.
30:46And the Warriors host the Nuggets.
30:48Ernie, Kenny, Charles and Jack.
30:50Get it all started at 1230 Eastern.
30:52Got them tonight as well.
30:53Meanwhile, Tate taking back to the locker room.
30:58And walking a little better there.
31:00That had to hurt.
31:01That's 260 plus pounds.
31:03Carl Anthony Towns right on that knee causing a hyperextension.
31:09A much better walk than when he first got up.
31:13Bridges looking for Robinson.
31:16Goes inside.
31:17Throws up a wild shot.
31:18Ball saved beautifully from Eason.
31:22There comes Thompson.
31:23Kicks it inside.
31:24Layup is good.
31:25Javari Smith running the lane.
31:27And are so dynamic when Thompson gets the ball in the break and gets it to the middle of the
31:32floor.
31:32Because he's got such straight ahead speed.
31:35He's going to create opportunities for trailers like Javari Smith on that play.
31:40Bridges this time takes a good shot.
31:42Where have you seen the growth of Thompson as a point guard?
31:45And his decision making is significantly better than it was earlier in his career.
31:50His head is up now when he handles the ball like that.
31:54Perfectly on cue, Mike.
31:55Way to deliver that because as he came out of that spin, his head was up when he was a
32:00rookie.
32:00Coming out of the spin, his head would have been down in the lane.
32:03He would not have seen the weak side of the floor.
32:05And he actually looked off a weak side defender and threw that ball in a rope to the corner.
32:11That's his fourth assist.
32:13Eason knocks it down.
32:14Eason's sixth in the NBA in three-point percentage.
32:16Bridges back-to-back jumpers.
32:18And Bridges now eight points.
32:22Knicks lead by 11 and Jalen Brunson has two points.
32:25The others have picked up the slack.
32:28Shang-Goon kicks it out.
32:29Javari Smith lines up that corner three and that's good.
32:34He heard something from the Knick bench and took a look back after he knocked it down.
32:40There's no ten points for Smith.
32:42He's the first rocket in double figures.
32:49Landry Shammott inside.
32:50Another beautiful move to the basket.
32:52He thought he got hit as well.
32:54Well, that's nice.
32:54And you have to be able to do that as a shooter in this league.
32:57When you're chased off the line, there has to be another element to your game to find ways to score.
33:03That's his second hard right-hand drive for a layup.
33:06Towns reach and foul.
33:09And that's only his first.
33:10Towns has had to deal with some foul problems.
33:12This will be the first free throws for the Rockets.
33:14If you're Landry Shammott, you see right here, he rejects the screen.
33:18Turn the corner.
33:19I like never put that ball in his left hand.
33:21The defense is on the left hip.
33:23He kept the ball in one hand on the right side of his body.
33:26Did not allow that Rocket defender to rake down on him.
33:31He's become indispensable from the bench for Mike Brown.
33:36A lot of trust in Shammott in his second year.
33:38Missed 27 games earlier with a shoulder injury, but now playing great.
33:43Basketball for the next is Ananobi.
33:45Comes in.
33:45Towns sits down.
33:46Shangoon makes the first free throw attempt of the game for the Rockets.
33:52This will only be the sixth total free throw attempt so far.
33:56Now he played almost 19 minutes.
34:03Kevin Durant back in, as is Brunson.
34:06Then Thompson right on Brunson.
34:08Fakes, drives, gets inside, kicks it out.
34:10Shammott, extra pass Alvarado.
34:12Good closeout by Eason.
34:15Shammott though, left wide open.
34:17Cannot hit.
34:18And Robinson tries to save it, but it goes right to Shangoon.
34:24Robinson's slow to get up.
34:25He's kind of caught in the crowd.
34:27He seems okay.
34:27Nice entry pass from Smith, and Shangoon throws it down.
34:31Eight points down for Shangoon.
34:32Now with Robinson out of the play, as he tried to save that ball, Shangoon knew if he ran right
34:37to the middle of the lane, he was going to have an early seal.
34:41OG Ananobi.
34:42Back out Alvarado.
34:44No hesitation on that three.
34:45Rolls in and out.
34:49What was the 13 point lead, then cut to six.
34:53And Durant's just three of 11.
34:55Yeah, the Rockets only trail by six.
34:57Durant drives on.
34:59Shammott knocked away.
34:59Another steal from Ananobi.
35:00That's his third.
35:02OG Ananobi throws it down softly.
35:08Nine turnovers for the Rockets.
35:12They're 24th in the NBA in turnovers per game.
35:15Shammott reaches in and commits the foul.
35:19It's going to be his first.
35:22This is OG Ananobi right here.
35:24It's a great job.
35:24That's a help and recover situation.
35:26But he was not going to commit to the closeout until Durant gave the ball up.
35:31And as a result, Kevin Durant just took that a little too deep.
35:35Too much traffic.
35:36And because they were in a 1-4 flat, there's nobody back if you turn the ball over in that
35:41situation.
35:42Knicks have seven steals.
35:46And you look at the defense.
35:47Again, we have some of the elite offensive players in Durant and Brunson, but Ananobi and Thompson are two.
35:53You just spend time just watching what they do defensively.
35:57Possession after possession.
36:02Durant pulls up.
36:04Been making that now for 19 years.
36:06There's death taxes in that shot right there.
36:09Kevin Durant, if he gets a head of steam going to his right hand with one defender,
36:13that's pretty automatic from that distance.
36:22Off the turnover, Thompson has it.
36:24Goes inside and throws it down.
36:26Good defense up time again by the Rockets.
36:30Knicks now with five turnovers.
36:32And that was Thompson that time.
36:33They're continuing to reach.
36:35He gets the tip from behind that triggers that break.
36:38If you go past him, you better make sure that ball is put out in front because he's going to
36:42make that play.
36:43Good defense from Durant to stay down.
36:46Hart can't hit it.
36:47Eason grabs the rebound.
36:52Rockets on a nice stretch.
36:54And Shingun sees Robinson in front of him.
36:58Shingun backing in.
36:59Falling away.
37:00The one-foot shot.
37:01Gets it a go.
37:02Nice, soft touch from Shingun.
37:04He's in double figures.
37:05And it's a two-point nickel.
37:11Brunson, Robinson goes inside and throws it down.
37:14Mitchell Robinson with some movement.
37:18Six points and 11 minutes off the bench for Robinson.
37:22That's one of the few times that they've had ball screen action that took two defenders.
37:26And there was a lot of space in that lane for Mitchell Robinson for the hard dive.
37:31Rockets now up to 50% from the field.
37:33Shingun tries a three-pointer and gets it.
37:36Alperin Shingun from downtown.
37:38He shoots just 29% from there, but he's got 13 points as he leads the Rockets.
37:47Cross-court Bridges.
37:49Steps in number three.
37:50Wells short.
37:51Robinson the rebound.
37:52Back up.
37:53Layup.
37:53All go.
37:59Shingun, who Nime Uduka calls the hub of the offense.
38:04Such a talented passer for a big man.
38:08Durant.
38:08Nice feet inside.
38:10Smith gets in.
38:11And foul.
38:11Beautiful pass as Durant thread the needle.
38:14We'll have a timeout.
38:15Nice turnaround here in the second from the Rockets.
38:18They trailed by 13.
38:19Now a chance to take the lead coming up.
38:24NBA Saturday primetime on ABC is presented by Wingstop.
38:28Made to order.
38:29Always fresh.
38:30Order at Wingstop.com and lock in your flavor.
38:35Welcome back to Madison Square Garden.
38:37It was somewhat of an odd all-star break for Kevin Durant.
38:40Over the break he was accused of using a burner account on a social media platform to criticize
38:44former and current teammates.
38:46The Rockets had their first post-all-star break practice on Wednesday.
38:50And KD was asked about the allegations and said he respectfully brushed them off saying, quote,
38:56I know you've got to ask these questions, but I'm not here to get into Twitter nonsense.
39:00Durant was also asked if he had spoken to his teammates about it and went on to say, quote,
39:04my teammates know what it is.
39:06We've been locked in this whole season.
39:08But what KD did not say was that the account was not his.
39:12And so by neither confirming or denying the allegations, the speculation is just kind of left out there, Mike.
39:18And you have to wonder if it's had any effect on the Rockets locker room.
39:22Well, they say no, Lisa.
39:24And Durant's comment, my teammates know what it is.
39:27I'm just shocked that there was some form of criticism on social media.
39:31I didn't know that happened.
39:32Yeah, no, not at all.
39:33It's it's you talk about to how there's so many so many players, old timers.
39:39I'm not calling you an old timer, by the way.
39:41Let's say, boy, am I glad I didn't play during the social media days.
39:45No doubt about it.
39:46Any player that I run into for my area is relieved that we didn't have to deal with that.
39:51I know one thing.
39:52A lot of people thought maybe he was going to be rattled by that boy.
39:55His performance the other night in Charlotte after the all-star game was sensational,
39:58particularly down the stretch the way he closed that game.
40:01And his teammates were fired up because of it.
40:03Ball knocked out of bounds.
40:04Last touched by Bridges.
40:05He had the last ten points.
40:06They won in Charlotte.
40:08Again, their fifth straight road win.
40:11And a nice turnaround here after trailing by 13.
40:13They've tied it up.
40:14Minute and a half to play here in the second.
40:21Eason and an offensive foul.
40:23Brunson got in there.
40:24And Eason trying to get free.
40:26Elbowed him.
40:27Inadvertently.
40:28First foul on Eason.
40:30Tenth turnover for the Rockets.
40:33Yeah, nowhere to go with the ball.
40:34And see that elbow just rakes across Jalen Brunson's chin.
40:41I always feel like the defender who's playing good defense or the offensive player who's smothered by the good defense.
40:49Where are you supposed to put your arms?
40:51Well, there was a time when they actually taught offensive players do exactly what Eason did on that play.
40:56If you were being crowded too much to sort of send a message that if you're going to come in
41:00here like that with your face, you're going to maybe get a broken nose or a jaw.
41:04But now that's going to be called pretty much every single time, particularly if you make sure if you do
41:09get the contact, go ahead and sell that.
41:12And Jalen Brunson did a good job of that drawing that foul.
41:14Well, they say if the defender is in legal guarding position and not moving forward or closing the space, the
41:20offensive player has to avoid the contact.
41:22That's the way it's seen by the officials.
41:26Towns gets some room, fires away and hits the three.
41:30Towns double figures here on the first half.
41:32And for the Knicks, that's a great sign.
41:35And his first three-point attempt of the night.
41:38And I thought that was a great sign at the start of the game.
41:41He got his touches in the paint.
41:42He got a little bit of a rhythm.
41:44And now he's showing you, you know, that all-around offensive game that he's been doing in this league for
41:49a long time.
41:50And I know he's trying to fight over the screen.
41:52Durant double-team.
41:53Gets away from that.
41:53Spins up top.
41:54Shingun fakes the three.
41:56Shows his ball handling.
41:58Durant mishandles the pass.
41:59Now gets inside and throws it down.
42:01Beautiful recovery from Durant.
42:03And he's now with 11 points.
42:06Rockets have made their last nine shots.
42:08And back within one.
42:09That worked out for KD.
42:11He was trying to catch that and get into a three-point shot.
42:14But by fumbling it, it actually led him to his left hand.
42:18And there was nobody back there once he turned the corner.
42:21Durant missed his first six.
42:22He's five for seven since then.
42:24Brunson trying to draw some contact.
42:26Can't get it.
42:26And Durant, a bad foul that time by Towns.
42:30And that'll put Durant at the free throw line.
42:35So Durant will go down the other end.
42:37Coming up.
42:39Halftime presented by Trem fire.
42:44They are.
42:46This is the key to them warming up.
42:48Before this halftime analysis.
42:53Keep saying it's so wonderful to have him with us.
42:57We gotta get him to come on the road.
42:59Well, Chuck better be careful.
43:01He doesn't fall backwards right there as Shaq fall forward at the same time.
43:06So Durant to the line.
43:08Shangoon has 13.
43:10Durant now has 12.
43:12And Jabari Smith has 11.
43:14I think it was Charles' birthday yesterday.
43:19Finney Smith comes in for the final defensive possession.
43:25So a chance for the Rockets to take the lead.
43:29Some weird numbers including like for the Knicks.
43:32The game is tied.
43:33And Jalen Brunson has just two points.
43:35He has three assists.
43:36He's only taken four shots but hasn't made any of them.
43:39And for the Rockets, Kevin Durant hasn't had a very efficient shooting night.
43:43But the reason that they've now got the lead is because you've got Jabari Smith and Shengu going 9 for
43:4911 combined and giving you 24 points.
43:52First lead of the game for the Rockets here in the second quarter.
43:55Brunson gets in, kicks it out, and throws it away.
44:002.3 remaining.
44:02That's seven turnovers for the Knicks.
44:0310 for the Rockets.
44:05Sohan and Mitchell Robinson are going to come in for the final defensive possession for the Knicks.
44:10A rough first half for Jalen Brunson.
44:19So 2.3 to go.
44:21And again, obviously now the Knicks no fouls to give here.
44:27Eason looking down the floor.
44:30Heaves it across.
44:31Thompson catches.
44:32Thompson drives.
44:33Puts up the shot of the buzzer.
44:35And it comes up short.
44:36And that ends the first half.
44:39Well, the Houston Rockets after trailing by 13 will go into the locker room with a 1-1.
44:433-point lead is Kevin Durant.
44:45Coming alive in the second quarter with 13 points.
44:49Two quarters complete of the guard.
44:5154-53 Houston.
44:53This presentation of NBA Saturday Primetime presented by Wingstop continues after this message and a word from our ABC stations.
45:06New York Rockets in New York.
45:09Rockets and Knicks.
45:10New York had a 13-point lead.
45:12KD.
45:13In Houston.
45:14Coming back to take a 1-point lead.
45:18at intermission halftime report is presented by trim fire here from Studio J in Atlanta. Ernie
45:25Johnson Chief O'Neal Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. How did this happen? How did the 13
45:32point lead vanish so quickly for New York? Well, I think that the dicks to me, the offense got
45:39stagnant, you know, because in the beginning they were flowing. I think they got stagnant and that
45:43was the difference. Then the Rockets got rolling and I think they play different when Katie and
45:49Saguna at the game. In my opinion, they play a lot faster and that's what happened. The
45:54the Knicks had 20 points in the paint in the first quarter, 20 of their 27, only eight in the
45:59second
45:59quarter and Jalen Brunson. It's been a struggle for the All-Star who averages 27, two points in the
46:07first half tonight on over for shooting the plus minus in the regular season, plus 5.1 minus three
46:16tonight. And I think it's always fun to revisit things we've talked about in the pregame show.
46:21So we were talking about how much you were looking forward to seeing a man Thompson on Brunson, but
46:26then the big picture on Houston because when you were in Detroit, there was a Thompson on them there
46:30as well. So, you know, nice suit, by the way. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
46:38Thank you. But, uh, to the Goodwill, you can get one too. You know, you talk about, you know,
46:43Thompson in the last game with Detroit, the brothers now here. And so what they do is they put size
46:47and
46:48it's size and athleticism. So freeze it here. Most guys give up on the play and Brunson gets into the
46:53lane right here. There's because you can't help off the corner, but no Thompson's big enough athletic
46:59enough to block his shot here. That is a basket on 99.9% of the world. So freeze it
47:05here again,
47:06pushes him off the print. No one bumps him or big body guard off the off the off the ball.
47:12Amir top. I mean, Amen Thompson does. Now you go into a shot and you get an air ball again,
47:18defensively. The Rockets have links all over the court fight through the pig. Wait, don't get back.
47:23Now all of a sudden size again. Now you don't get the dunk. Mitchell Robinson,
47:27throw it out size again. And you have Kevin Durant. Actually, when he came into the league,
47:32this is how he made his living as well. But then now you step out again, size as well.
47:37And Thompson has size on him, makes him into a tough shot. That is the difference. So when you say,
47:44is this rocket team going to be the difference between them? They need this game.
47:51You're not going to see Thompson. Those two twins are the best defenders in basketball,
47:57in my opinion, at their position. And now you're playing them back to back nights. Brunson won't
48:02see anybody like this. We had 30 against the other Thompson. Yeah, but it's tough. These are tough
48:06shots. Yeah, but that's what a coaching comes into play. In my opinion, you can't, he's too big and
48:12strong for Jalen. A hundred percent. That's why they got to change their office up and run some
48:17pick and rolls. I would bring Carl Anthony Townsend to make Singoon because he's good. That Thompson
48:22kid is playing great defense. You got to help him because he's too tall and athletic for Brunson.
48:27I agree with you. But that's why the coach got to help him. That's not a good night. Speaking of
48:31Cat, we talked about him in the first, in our, in our pregame show too. You had some unflattering
48:37things to say about him using the soft word. What'd you think of the first half?
48:41Four out of seven, 11 points rebounds. Really good. I like the way he plays. See right there?
48:46Two to three, 11 points. First possession of the game. I don't like him being pushed out,
48:50but you know what? This is a high percentage shot. Yeah, you can shoot the three, but you
48:53got a guy smaller on you. Take the high percentage shot. The more high percentage shots you make,
48:57the better rhythm you have in the game. Right there. Cut to the basket, let the guy bother you,
49:01and just play right here. Initiate the offense, a little pick and roll, run to your spot. I would like
49:06to
49:06see it get a little deeper, but right there. Spin move, take a high percentage shot, playing okay,
49:1111.3 rebounds. But the fact that the Knicks had the 13 point lead and let the Rockets come back,
49:16that concerns me. That Houston team, when you watch them play defense, they got some length,
49:20they got some athletic guys in there who can get in on you. Tari Eason for one,
49:25I'm on Thompson again for another. And you wonder what would the situation be here if Houston hadn't
49:30turned the ball over 10 times for 15 New York points. As it is, they have a one point lead,
49:3754, 53. Why Shaq laughing? Because I was thinking about my good friend, Dick Vitale.
49:42Love you, Dick Vitale. Dick Vitale is a great man, isn't he? Yes, he is. I wish that were
49:48actually the reason. The New York what, Chuck? We'll have to play the tape back for you, man.
49:57Don't play it again. It's the Knicks down one. Say it again, Chuck. When you add defense in the Knicks,
50:05what do you get? NBA halftime is presented by Trimfaya.
50:12Remember we showed you the highlights of the game winner by Jalen Green for Phoenix in double
50:17overtime in a game in which, uh, Dylan Brooks had to leave and, uh, Sean's reporting that he's got
50:24a broken left hand. Oh man. Sideline doctors to determine the timetable. He left, uh, after playing
50:31about seven minutes. Man, that is devastating. We're already without Devin Booker. And like I said,
50:37Dylan Brooks is there to make the all-star team this year. He got jobs.
50:41And now we will see how long the Suns or number seven in the West will have to go, uh,
50:48without Dylan
50:48Brooks. Uh, here on ABC tonight, one point game. Rockets leading the Knicks third quarter right around
51:00the Ben. When are you going to have my jersey? My jersey's better. And number three, number three
51:06is so much cooler than number five. I'm so much cooler than Jose. My hair is so much better than
51:11his too. Well, why can't you get a number three jersey? Land land. You might have to stick all the
51:18way
51:18line. Let's do it for Spider-Man. Listen to where I am. I'm gonna yell at you to send it
51:26to me.
51:27I can't sit down and get back up and sit down and get back up. I got a one get
51:30up minimum.
51:32How do you tell a kid not to wear a Dodge jersey? Welcome back,
51:36NBA Saturday from Time on ABC, presented by Wingstop Halftime here in the Garden.
51:42And it's the Rockets after trailing by 13, leading by one, 54 to 53.
51:49And I got everyone with Tim Blechler, Mike Green on hand. We'll check in with Lisa Salfers in just
51:53a moment. We've got some stars out there and that's the subject of tonight's Star Watch brought
51:57to you by Lexus. But it's not just offensive stars, it's a defensive star. Well, the Houston Rockets are
52:02the fifth best defensive team in this league. And you saw that in the first half with their approach
52:06to Jalen Brunson. And he's got one of the really elite defenders in the league on him most of the
52:11night.
52:11Ahmed Thompson did a sensational job. This may be the quietest half I've seen Jalen Brunson have
52:17since he put a Knick uniform on. Only four field goal attempts in the half, just two points.
52:23Credit Ahmed Thompson, but you can see there he's got a lot of help on the back line as well.
52:29The Knicks need to get Jalen Brunson going here in the third quarter.
52:33Brunson finds Hart. Hart gets inside. Can't get it to fall. Eason has it. Quick outlet.
52:38Here's a man, Thompson. Also did a good job distributing as he does there. Smith can't hit it.
52:44Let him in, Thompson. The hustle gets the rebound.
52:48He pretty much just plays harder than the other guy.
52:54Thompson now, four points, five rebounds,
52:58four assists, and some spectacular defense. A 24-second violation as we check in with Lisa Saltish.
53:04Hey, Mike. Well, Mike Brown was saying we've got to get back to playing at our pace. He said we
53:08did do
53:09a great job of converting early on, but we were causing them problems with our pace, hurting them
53:13in transition. We should have been up even more than we were. Defensively, he said we've got to do a
53:19better job of making sure we're protecting each other on the back side. He said our rotations weren't
53:23great in that first half and they were able to get threes. As for Jalen Brunson, he said I'm not
53:28worried about him. He'll continue to be aggressive. He said we run a lot for Jalen. He always has the
53:33green light whenever he wants it. All right, Lisa. Thank you. And she brings up a point which you said
53:38about if you're playing against the Rockets, you want to get fast breaks because you don't want to go up
53:44against their half-court defense. Yeah, they get back and they've got five sets of shoulders
53:48staring at half-court. It's going to be a difficult possession because of their switchability
53:53and the size of their wings. That's a great offensive possession right there. The ball movement.
53:59Smith gets a wide open three and the Rockets have their largest lead. How often a paint touch on a
54:06cut
54:06leads to a great three-point shot on the opposite side of the floor because of the reaction of the
54:12defense to the ball. Towns kicks it out. The extra pass. Brunson finally gets a clean look.
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