Game ID: 22300514
Portland Trail Blazers @ New York Knicks
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 38 25 34 15 112POR 22 19 20 23 84
NYK vs POR ScoutingNYK vs POR Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 11 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 6 since 12/20, out tonight
BACK McBride back 12/30 after 3, 18 min since (85% of 21)
BACK Fournier back 12/30 after 19, 17 min since (135% of 13)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 12 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 7 since 12/20, returns tonight: 1 min (9% of 12)
BACK McBride back 12/30 after 3, 12 min since (60% of 21)
BACK Fournier back 12/30 after 19, 17 min since (135% of 13)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 13 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 2 since 1/01, out tonight
BACK McBride back 12/30 after 3, 12 min since (56% of 21)
BACK Sims back 1/03 after 7, 1 min since (9% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/06 · back-to-backOUT Robinson missed 14 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 3 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK McBride back 12/30 after 3, 12 min since (60% of 21)
BACK Sims back 1/03 after 7, 2 min since (14% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/09 · 2 days' restOUT Robinson missed 15 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 4 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 3 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK McBride back 12/30 after 3, 13 min since (61% of 21)
BACK Sims back 1/03 after 7, 2 min since (15% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 37 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 16 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 5 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 4 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Sims back 1/03 after 7, 3 min since (26% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 36 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 17 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 6 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 5 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Sims back 1/03 after 7, 3 min since (26% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 18 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 7 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 6 since 1/03, out tonight
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 35 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Brunson missed 2 since 1/13, returns tonight: 37 min (102% of 36)
OUT Robinson missed 19 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 8 since 1/01, out tonight
OUT Sims missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 7 since 1/03, out tonight
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 34 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 2 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Sharpe missed 5 since 12/21, returns tonight: 18 min (54% of 33)
OUT Ayton missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 12/28, returns tonight: 19 min (88% of 22)
OUT Reath missed 2 since 12/28, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 10 since 12/11, out tonight
BACK Mays back 12/23 after 4, 10 min since (59% of 17)
BACK Badji back 12/26 after 9, 9 min since (85% of 10)
POR availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 3 since 12/28, returns tonight: 27 min (78% of 34)
OUT Ayton missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Reath missed 3 since 12/28, returns tonight: 6 min (34% of 18)
OUT Rupert missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 11 since 12/11, out tonight
BACK Sharpe back 1/01 after 5, 18 min since (54% of 33)
BACK Murray back 12/23 after 4, 8 min since (39% of 22)
BACK Mays back 12/23 after 4, 12 min since (68% of 17)
BACK Badji back 12/26 after 9, 12 min since (121% of 10)
POR availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 5 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Rupert missed 5 since 12/26, returns tonight: 19 min (115% of 16)
OUT Minaya missed 12 since 12/11, out tonight
BACK Simons back 1/03 after 3, 27 min since (78% of 34)
BACK Sharpe back 1/01 after 5, 20 min since (61% of 33)
BACK Murray back 1/01 after 2, 17 min since (77% of 22)
BACK Reath back 1/03 after 3, 6 min since (34% of 18)
BACK Badji back 12/26 after 9, 13 min since (125% of 10)
POR availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 6 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 13 since 12/11, out tonight
BACK Simons back 1/03 after 3, 25 min since (73% of 34)
BACK Sharpe back 1/01 after 5, 21 min since (65% of 33)
BACK Murray back 1/01 after 2, 18 min since (82% of 22)
BACK Reath back 1/03 after 3, 16 min since (92% of 18)
BACK Rupert back 1/05 after 5, 19 min since (115% of 16)
NEW Henderson 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Badji 10 to 16 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 7 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Minaya missed 14 since 12/11, returns tonight: 12 min (107% of 11)
BACK Simons back 1/03 after 3, 32 min since (93% of 34)
BACK Sharpe back 1/01 after 5, 26 min since (79% of 33)
BACK Murray back 1/01 after 2, 15 min since (70% of 22)
BACK Reath back 1/03 after 3, 25 min since (137% of 18)
BACK Rupert back 1/05 after 5, 19 min since (115% of 16)
POR availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 8 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 3 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Simons back 1/03 after 3, 31 min since (89% of 34)
BACK Sharpe back 1/01 after 5, 25 min since (76% of 33)
BACK Murray back 1/01 after 2, 15 min since (71% of 22)
BACK Reath back 1/03 after 3, 24 min since (132% of 18)
BACK Rupert back 1/05 after 5, 15 min since (94% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 1/09 after 14, 12 min since (107% of 11)
NEW Badji 10 to 18 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 1/12 · back-to-backOUT Ayton missed 9 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 4 since 1/05, returns tonight: 32 min (138% of 24)
BACK Simons back 1/03 after 3, 28 min since (83% of 34)
BACK Reath back 1/03 after 3, 24 min since (133% of 18)
BACK Rupert back 1/05 after 5, 14 min since (88% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 1/09 after 14, 13 min since (114% of 11)
NEW Badji 10 to 18 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 10 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Walker back 1/12 after 4, 32 min since (138% of 24)
BACK Rupert back 1/05 after 5, 12 min since (76% of 16)
BACK Minaya back 1/09 after 14, 12 min since (104% of 11)
NEW Reath 18 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Badji 10 to 16 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 1/17 · 2 days' restOUT Sharpe missed 2 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 11 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Walker back 1/12 after 4, 31 min since (130% of 24)
BACK Minaya back 1/09 after 14, 13 min since (117% of 11)
NEW Reath 18 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Badji 10 to 16 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Randle at 30 and Brunson at 27 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Robinson (15 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Simons at 20 and Grant at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Ayton (7 straight), Walker (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-9 a night and Portland minus-5 and the defense, New York allowing 109 a night to Portland's 126. Call it New York 121, Portland 109, New York by 12.
1/01 vs MIN 112-106 — NYK notes
NYK won 112-106. NYK shot 44% (39 of 89) to MIN's 47%, 12 of 34 from three. The glass went 49-34 for them. Randle led with 39 (14 of 24, 2 of 6 from three, 9 of 13 at the line); Anunoby added 17, Brunson 16. The hinge was Q2, 38-17: NYK came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 12, and the lead reached 22. Anunoby was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/03 vs CHI 116-100 — NYK notes
NYK won 116-100. NYK shot 52% (46 of 89) to CHI's 42%, 15 of 38 from three. The glass went 52-39 for them. Randle led with 35 (13 of 23, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Brunson added 31, Anunoby 11. The hinge was Q3, 35-23: NYK came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 8, and the lead reached 17. NYK trailed 51-55 at the half and won the second half 65-45. Anunoby was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
1/05 @ PHI 128-92 — NYK notes
NYK won 128-92. NYK shot 48% (43 of 89) to PHI's 41%, 18 of 41 from three. The glass went 49-38 for them. Brunson led with 29 (11 of 20, 4 of 9 from three); Grimes added 19, Hartenstein 17. The hinge was Q4, 35-16: a lead of 17 became 36, and the lead reached 39. Hart was the night's best plus/minus at +46.
1/06 @ WAS 121-105 — NYK notes
NYK won 121-105. NYK shot 49% (43 of 87) to WAS's 47%, 14 of 36 from three. NYK turned it over 14 times to WAS's 20. Randle led with 39 (13 of 23, 3 of 8 from three, 10 of 13 at the line); Brunson added 33, DiVincenzo 10. The hinge was Q1, 34-19: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 26. Hartenstein was the night's best plus/minus at +29.
1/09 vs POR 112-84 — NYK notes
NYK won 112-84. NYK shot 42% (37 of 89) to POR's 38%, 18 of 48 from three. The glass went 55-43 for them. Anunoby led with 23 (9 of 12, 4 of 6 from three); Randle added 20, Grimes 17. The hinge was Q1, 38-22: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 39. Randle was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
1/11 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Dončić at 31 and Irving at 27 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Lively II (3 straight), Kleber (30 straight), Exum (4 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 97, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Randle at 28 and Brunson at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Robinson (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-10 a night and Dallas minus-7 and the defense, New York allowing 97 a night to Dallas's 111. Call it New York 114, Dallas 112, Dallas keeping it close.
1/13 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 26 and Bane at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Aldama (2 straight), Rose (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 102, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 27 and Randle at 27 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Robinson (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 102 a night to Memphis's 115. Call it New York 116, Memphis 111.
1/15 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 26 and Randle at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Robinson (18 straight). One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and M. Wagner at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without F. Wagner (5 straight), Carter Jr. (5 straight), Gar. Harris (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-10 a night and Orlando plus-2 and the defense, New York allowing 101 a night to Orlando's 111. Call it New York 115, Orlando 107.
1/17 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Randle at 26 and Brunson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Brunson (2 straight), Robinson (19 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sengun at 23 and Ja. Green at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 102 a night to Houston's 125 and the arc, New York at 35 percent from three to Houston's 28. Call it New York 117, Houston 109.
1/01 @ PHX 88-109 — POR notes
POR lost 88-109. POR shot 41% (33 of 80) to PHX's 48%, 8 of 30 from three, and got to the line 19 times to PHX's 33. The glass went 36-47 against them. Henderson led with 17 (7 of 18, 1 of 3 from three); Grant added 15, Walker 10. Q1 was theirs, 29-20, but the other 3 periods went 89-59 against them. Henderson's -18 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/03 @ DAL 97-126 — POR notes
POR lost 97-126. POR shot 39% (34 of 87) to DAL's 50%, 13 of 40 from three, and got to the line 22 times to DAL's 41. POR turned it over 22 times to DAL's 11, and DAL turned those into 12 steals. Sharpe led with 16 (6 of 12, 1 of 5 from three); Simons added 15, Thybulle 12. Q3 was theirs, 27-24, the deficit cut from 31 to 28, but the other 3 periods went 102-70 against them. Simons's -31 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 @ DAL 103-139 — POR notes
POR lost 103-139. POR shot 41% (39 of 95) to DAL's 58%, 13 of 40 from three. The glass went 42-52 against them. Grant led with 18 (6 of 11, 2 of 3 from three); Henderson added 17, Reath 16. Q2 was theirs, 27-24, the deficit cut from 12 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 115-76 against them. Henderson's -26 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 @ BKN 134-127 — POR notes
POR won 134-127 in 1 overtime. POR shot 47% (45 of 95) to BKN's 51%, 20 of 38 from three. POR turned it over 9 times to BKN's 15. Simons led with 38 (13 of 25, 5 of 10 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Grant added 27, S. Sharpe 21. The hinge was Q4, 30-22: POR came in trailing by 8 and left it level. POR trailed 50-52 at the half and won the second half 84-75. Brogdon was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/09 @ NYK 84-112 — POR notes
POR lost 84-112. POR shot 38% (33 of 86) to NYK's 42%, 6 of 29 from three. The glass went 43-55 against them. Grant led with 21 (8 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Simons added 12. Q4 was theirs, 23-15, the deficit cut from 36 to 28, but the other 3 periods went 97-61 against them. Grant's -31 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/11 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 127, shooting 56 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 33 and Holmgren at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 123, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grant at 18 and Simons at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Ayton (8 straight), Walker (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 43 percent from three to Portland's 34 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 16 times a game to OKC's 12. Call it OKC 123, Portland 112, OKC by 11.
1/12 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Edwards at 26 and Towns at 24 a game. One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 129, shooting 39 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Grant at 17 and Simons at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Ayton (9 straight), Walker (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 109 a night to Portland's 129 and the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-2 a night and Portland minus-8. Call it Minnesota 120, Portland 104, Minnesota by 16.
1/14 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 127, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Grant at 18 and Simons at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Ayton (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 24 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been minus-4 a night and Portland minus-10 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 119 a night to Portland's 127. Call it Phoenix 118, Portland 111.
1/17 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 124, shooting 39 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Simons at 19 and Grant at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Sharpe (2 straight), Ayton (11 straight). 2 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bridges at 25 and Thomas at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Simmons (32 straight), Clowney (8 straight), Wilson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-3 a night and Portland minus-9 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 114 a night to Portland's 124. Call it Brooklyn 115, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PORAS A. Simons
DR D. Reath
IB I. Badji
JG J. Grant
JM J. Minaya
KM K. Murray
MB M. Brogdon
MT M. Thybulle
RR R. Rupert
SH S. Henderson
SS S. Sharpe
TC T. Camara
NYKDD D. DiVincenzo
IH I. Hartenstein
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
JR J. Randle
JS J. Sims
MF M. Flynn
MM M. McBride
OA O. Anunoby
PA P. Achiuwa
QG Q. Grimes
RA R. Arcidiacono
POR/NYK the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Anunoby scores 23, Knicks improve to 5-0 with the forward by routing Trail Blazers
NEW YORK -- — The New York Knicks are not only unbeaten with OG Anunoby , they are dominant when their new forward is on the floor.
Anunoby scored 23 points, his most since coming to New York, and the Knicks won their fifth in a row since he joined their lineup with a 112-84 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Anunoby scored 16 in a first quarter, when the Knicks opened a 19-point lead that would grow to 39 in the third quarter. The forward went 6 for 7 in the period, 4 of 5 behind the 3-point arc, and was already just a point shy of the 17 he scored in his Knicks debut against Minnesota on New Year's Day, his previous best since coming from Toronto in a Dec. 30 trade.
“He’s made a great contribution, not just with defense, but moving without the ball, getting the ball up the floor fast, his shot-making, and it’s only going to get better as we go,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Anunoby might have approached his season high of 29, also at Madison Square Garden while playing for the Raptors last month, but the starters didn't need to play much in the second half.
Julius Randle added 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Knicks, who moved a half-game ahead of Miami, Indiana and Cleveland for fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 22-15. Quentin Grimes scored 17 points and fellow reserve guard Miles McBride had 16.
Anunoby, last season's NBA steals leader, probably couldn't have envisioned things working out this well after the deal that sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto. The Knicks had outscored their first four opponents by 85 points when Anunoby was in the the game, and they were 26 points better than the Blazers in his 29 minutes Tuesday, when fans chanted his name during a first-half trip to the free throw line.
“I don’t know what I was thinking, but I just know we have a great team and we’re getting better and better each game,” Anunoby said.
Jerami Grant scored 21 points for the Trail Blazers, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Anfernee Simons was the only player in double figures with 12.
The Knicks outscored the Blazers 25-11 in fast-break points, after Chauncey Billups warned his players to expect an opponent that would play with pace.
“I said, the numbers tell you that they’re like 27th in the league in transition and this and that, whatever. But me watching their last four or five games, I’m telling you my eyes, they are playing fast as heck, they really are,” Billups said of his message to his players. "They’re kicking it up, playing fast, so we’re going to go with my eyes.
"So I can’t say that they caught us off guard, because we tried to prepare our team for it. But they just a really good job of it, to be honest.
Portland cut it to 13 in the second quarter, but then Grimes and Jalen Brunson hit consecutive 3-pointers, Josh Hart made a layup and Grimes made another 3 to cap an 11-0 burst that extended it to 54-30 midway through the period. New York led 63-41 at the half.
Randle scored 10 points in the third quarter, including a layup that gave the Knicks their biggest lead at 94-55 with 2:24 remaining in the period.