{"id":114944,"date":"2024-12-30T19:02:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T00:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=114944"},"modified":"2024-12-30T19:03:12","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T00:03:12","slug":"keys-to-the-knicks-winning-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/30\/keys-to-the-knicks-winning-streak\/","title":{"rendered":"Keys To The Knicks Winning Streak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jalen Brunson<\/a> put on a post-Christmas spectacular in the nation’s capital, dropping a mammoth 55 points<\/a> to propel the New York Knicks to an overtime victory against the Wizards. He was in his bag as his patented footwork and pump fakes had the Wizards on skates. These Knicks have been on fire recently, winners of seven straight and 12 of 14. What are the keys to the Knicks winning streak?<\/p>\n

It’s been a team effort first and foremost. Armed with the most productive starting lineup in the league offensively, anyone can go off on a night. Mikal Bridges<\/a> dropped 41 on Christmas Day, and Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> is off to a career-best start. Wings Josh Hart<\/a> and OG Anunoby<\/a> are playing superbly on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Knicks chemistry is coming together at the right time.<\/p>\n

Keys To The Knicks Winning Streak<\/h3>\n

Bridges Playing Terrific<\/h3>\n

Prognosticators considered the trade to acquire Bridges from the Nets a significant overpay for a player who’s never been an All-Star. However, Bridges has since silenced these prognostications with a memorable December<\/a>. He’s been nothing short of sensational, punctuated by dropping 41 and outdueling Victor Wembanyama<\/a>‘s Spurs on Christmas Day. He has been showcasing the offense, defense, and durability which brought him to New York. This is a player who never misses a game, is a solid defender, and offensively he’s an assassin in the midrange and from the corners.<\/p>\n

For the month of December, Bridges is averaging 22.2 points per game<\/a>, and shooting 57.2% from the field and 45.1% from three. These are incredible numbers for a third, sometimes fourth option scorer. The hitch in his jumper which was noticeable in the first month of the season looks to be behind him also.<\/p>\n

Bridges is playing within the flow of the offense, and picking his spots. This is emanating from developing trust and chemistry with his teammates. Per The Athletic,<\/a><\/em> in response to his play of late, he replied,<\/p>\n

\u201dI continue to work everyday to get comfortable with the team and system, teammates have been finding me, I just want to keep getting better.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Christmas Day was a showcase of his talents, but in truth, he’s been building up to it from the weeks prior with his excellent performances. His defense has noticeably improved also this month, credited with 18 steals and six blocks for the month.<\/p>\n

Now that Bridges is apparently comfortable within the system, the sky is the limit for this team.<\/p>\n

Bench Is Coming Together<\/h3>\n

The Knicks astute signing of Landry Shamet<\/a> after he recovered from injury brings extra perimeter scoring punch off the bench for the Knicks. A career three-point shooter of 38.4%, he brings much needed punch to a team needing some bench scoring. Another player back from injury and finding his feet is Precious Achiuwa<\/a>. He punctuated his return by his grown-man posterizing dunk on the Wizards.<\/p>\n

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A PRECIOUS POSTER \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\ude31 pic.twitter.com\/WJ3iDbdBw7<\/a><\/p>\n

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n