WASHINGTON — After the Knicks defeated the 76ers, they quickly turned their attention to the Wizards. Almost immediately, Donte DiVincenzo said,
A potential trap game in the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday included a message in Philadelphia's locker room minutes after defeating Joel Embiid's team: Don't miss your opponent on I-95 There was a warning written on it.
“There's a lot of games where you beat a team undefeated, you play a team that's expected to win, and then you come in and bumble,” DiVincenzo told the Post. “For us to take the next step in the East, I think we need to solidify ourselves, regardless of who we play.”
As expected by DiVincenzo, the Knicks did not succumb to the trap game at Capital One Arena.
Under coach Tom Thibodeau, who is known for preparing for every game as if his family's life was in danger, they rarely play against opponents.
Instead, they crushed the lowly Wizards 121-105.
They pounced on an inferior opponent from the start, taking an eight-point lead within just two minutes and building a 20-point lead by halftime.
The highlight was a putback jam by Miles McBride past multiple Wizards defenders to end the first quarter.
Washington (6-29) briefly rallied in the third quarter to cut the deficit to five points, but the Knicks held a double-digit lead for the final 15 minutes.
The game in Washington, D.C., ended much like the night before in Philadelphia, with Knicks fans infiltrating the opposing arena chanting, “Let's go Knicks.”
Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson combined for 72 points, marking the second time this season that each had at least 30 points. The first time was just five days before the Bulls game.
Randle made 13 of 23 shots and dropped 39 points in 38 minutes. Brunson finished with 33 points on 10-of-18 shooting and eight assists.
OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein (19 rebounds) were once again the intangible stars.
With the win, the Knicks (21-15) now have a season-high six games over .500 and are now 14-1 against teams below .500.
It's probably too early to put much information into the standings, but the Pacers' loss to the Celtics on Saturday moved them into fourth place in the East.
It also means the Knicks are undefeated since acquiring Anunoby, whose presence strengthens the defense and gives Randle and Brunson more room to operate offensively.
“We have energy right now,” said DiVincenzo, who scored 10 points in 26 minutes Saturday. “And it's contagious. Players celebrating each other, players moving the ball.”
Among the positive developments since the trade is an increase in off-ball cuts.
A particular strength of DiVincenzo and Anunoby, who can create more ball movement and even incorporate Isaiah Hartenstein into the offense as a facilitator from the elbow.
Stylistically, it makes sense because RJ Barrett's game is predicated on creating with the ball rather than moving without it. So is Immanuel Quickley.
Not coincidentally, the Knicks averaged more assists and points with their new starting lineup, exceeding their season average by three on Saturday.
They have focused on cutting down and beating bad teams.
“And that's the thing. It's contagious. Someone does it, they look at it and they say, 'Okay, if you cut it, you can dunk it,'” DiVincenzo said. “Or you make a cut, but I get the ball and you end up opening a three for someone else. So it's contagious. There's an energy to basketball. Do something for someone. When you do something, it comes back to you.”
