The Knicks’ nine-game winning streak has ended, but they still have a winning streak left, and their winning streak will be on the line in their next matchup.
Against a team currently on a losing streak (including Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies at the Garden), Tom Thibodeau’s team has won 11 straight and has an overall record of 21-1.
The last time the Knicks lost to a team currently below .500 was on Dec. 13 at Utah State.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Celtics, the Grizzlies were near rock bottom with an 18-31 record and four straight losses.
It’s impossible to pinpoint exactly why the Knicks are so aggressive against bad teams, but the obvious answer is Thibodeau’s reputation for preparing and coaching every game like it’s do-or-die.
“It’s hard to win in this league,” Josh Hart said after he disappeared in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ loss to the Lakers on Saturday. “As we’ve seen many times, it doesn’t matter what the other team’s record is. We just go out there and try to focus on that. You know what I’m saying, right?
“Obviously we want to win winnable games. Whether it’s a team under .500, a team that’s struggling, a team that’s on a five-game winning streak, that thought process doesn’t change. Whatever it is, our thought process is always the same.”
Despite missing the injured Jalen Brunson, the Knicks (32-18) defeated the short-handed Grizzlies on Jan. 13 in Memphis.
After Tuesday’s game, only one of the Knicks’ next six opponents currently has a losing record (against Houston on Feb. 12).
Julius Randle, who is rehabbing from a dislocated shoulder, appeared on the Knicks’ bench in street clothes during Saturday’s loss.
It was his first appearance at MSG since suffering the gruesome injury on January 27th against Miami. It will be re-evaluated in a few weeks. It is hoped and believed that Randle will avoid post-season surgery.
Hart was encouraged by Randle’s right hand slap, and Isaiah Hartenstein was also happy to have his teammate back in the game.
“It’s always great to have him around,” Hartenstein said. “He’s always been really supportive of us. So just having him around was really good.”
Hart and Brunson, former Villanova teammates and good friends, teased a new podcast called “The Roommate Show.” It is advertised as running every Thursday.
“We have something ready for you all soon,” Branson tweeted.
The two often exchange mild insults in the locker room. For example, in a recent interview, Hart said his strategy to protect Brunson was to “smack the fat on his head.”
