Knicks Notes: Finding the winning formula without Julius Randle, and playoff seeding scenarios

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A few notes on the Knicks as they enter the final 10 days of the regular season…

PLENTY AT STAKE

Josh Hart called Thursday night’s game against Sacramento a “must-win” for the Knicks. The same can be said of their last six games. Each game could be crucial to their seeding in the Eastern Conference.

After Thursday’s win over the Kings, the Knicks are in fifth place in the conference. New York is 45-31, the same record as the No. 4 seed Magic, and a half-game back of the Cavaliers for the No. 3 seed.

Cleveland faces the Lakers and Clippers this weekend. The Cavs are coming off a loss to Phoenix and have dropped six of 10 overall.

Milwaukee’s end-of-season results could impact the Knicks in a variety of ways. New York plays at Milwaukee on Sunday night. The Bucks also play Orlando in two of their final three games.

If Milwaukee wins those games, it would help the Knicks create separation from Orlando. Those Bucks wins could also end any chance the Knicks have at getting the No. 2 seed. Though with six games to go, the Knicks face long odds to pass Milwaukee. They trail the Bucks by two in the loss column and the Bucks own the tie-breaker against the Knicks.

Orlando faces the Hornets and Rockets in their final stretch. They also play the Bulls and Sixers. In theory, those teams should be playing for playoff positioning against Orlando. So that could help the Knicks. New York, of course, plays the Bulls three times in the final six games. Chicago has competed well under Billy Donovan and will be motivated to win at least the first two matchups against New York.

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) dribbles up court during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden / Vincent Carchietta – USA TODAY Sports

ALL HART DURING LIFE WITHOUT JULIUS RANDLE

Hart hasn’t attempted a shot outside of the paint in the past two games.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to shoot from the perimeter. He can’t. The sprain in Hart’s right wrist won’t allow it.

“Right now, I gotta just attack the rim. Shooting the ball, I can’t really get the ball to the basket from three now,” Hart said after his latest…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-notes-finding-winning-formula-163542416.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-04-05 16:35:42

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