prediction? pain. Comepain.
But I really couldn’t predict this. Not even Clubber Lang.
Payne was not even expected to be a large part of the Knicks’ play-off-roat.
But coach Tom Thibodeau was surprisingly characterized by a rotation of nine people. So Payne injected the Knicks with the life they needed when they hit a low point in Game 1 against the Pistons.
More than injecting life, he instantly made their offense, causing an epic 21-0 run in the fourth quarter, which lifted the Knicks to a Saturday night 123-112 victory at Madison Square Garden.
He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and finished 14 minutes from the bench.
He was also Game High Plus 23.
Beyond his score, he began his comeback by pushing the piston into a five-second offense at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“It’s about him, he knows exactly who he is,” Thibodeau said of Payne. “He comes with great energy every game and carries himself well every day. He has given us a huge spark.
That energy has been owned by Payne throughout his 10-year career, scraping the rest of his teammates.
After the game, Payne received a big embrace from actor Ben Stiller.
He was receiving a standing ovation when he went down at 1:58 remaining in the game, animating the crowd.
“My mother sat there for a bit, not just behind the bench, and I looked at them and ‘Let’s get up,’ Payne said of the celebration. “I don’t know. Sometimes, when we’re running and playing really good, I check out. My mind gets blank. I’m still trying to get the hype.
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“She was there doing the same thing I was doing. She was like, ‘Yeah, get up, get up.’ I’m like her, that’s where I get my energy. ”
The Knicks have many playoff experiences, but no one in the rotation has more than Paine played in his 59th postseason game.
Only PJ Tucker is on the roster and he didn’t play on Saturday.
Energy is usually associated with young people. But Payne believes it’s the veteran’s way of thinking that will pull it out of him.
“I [am one of] The oldest guys on the team, so when someone gets into the game, it’s a different kind of experience, especially for rookies,” Payne said. “We are in the NBA. [mindset]just cool it down. I’m happy to be in the league, I enjoy it, so I just have fun every night.
“I can do something else, but I play in the garden. I enjoy myself. I try my best to bring my energy.
