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Knicks snap losing skid with historic margin of victory
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Knicks snap losing skid with largest margin of victory in franchise history

Perhaps a return to playing Eastern Conference foes is just what the New York Knicks need to get back on track. 

A team predicted by many to reach the NBA Finals before the season suffered four-straight losses during a rough stretch against Western Conference opponents before beating up on their crosstown rival Brooklyn Nets, on Wednesday night. 

The Knicks, coming off a 114-97 loss to the struggling Dallas Mavericks at home, took it to the Nets from the opening tip-off all the way until the final buzzer. New York won the game to the tune of 120-66 for not only their largest margin of victory of the season, but the widest margin from any game in franchise history. 

New York exceeded 30 points in two separate quarters, scoring 38 in the first and then 32 in the fourth with the game already out of reach for Brooklyn.  

The Knicks also showed off their depth in the game, cruising to such an easy win without a monster performance from any of their stars. Only one Knicks player even reached 20 points. That was Jalen Brunson, who scored 20 points in 31 minutes and also added four rebounds and five assists. 

Jalen Brunson didn't have to carry the load  

Brunson entered the night averaging 28.1 points per game, which would be a new career-high for a season. 

Brunson's co-star Karl-Anthony Towns came just a couple of boards away from a double-double in limited time on the floor. He scored 14 with eight rebounds and a trio of helpers in 20 minutes.

Josh Hart also flirted with a double-double, falling just one rebound away and getting into double digits in scoring with 11 points. Mikal Bridges also registered 11 points to go along with his four rebounds and four assists. 

Everyone got involved

In fact, six different Knicks reached double digits, and 13 joined the stat sheet by totaling at least one point. 

Miles McBride recorded 14 points of his own, highlighted by three triples, while bringing down six rebounds and dishing out four assists. He led the team with a +/- of +34.  

Not always known for scoring, but can when called upon. Landry Shamet put up 18, his second-highest output of the season — he scored 36 in a win over the Miami Heat on Nov. 14. 

Now 26-18, the Knicks are still holding on as the No. 3 seed in the East despite going 3-7 in their last 10 games. A trip to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers is next up for New York on Saturday. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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