Knicks roll past Raptors thanks to late-game defensive push
NY Post
TORONTO — The Knicks’ much-improved defense locked up when it was most needed.
In a tight game halfway through the fourth quarter Tuesday, the Knicks held the Raptors to just two points in the final five minutes and left Scotiabank Arena with a 111-95 victory and a 12th straight win over their division foe.
Trailing by two points after Immanuel Quickley’s runner with 5:50 left, the Raptors missed four consecutive buckets with two turnovers while under the pressure of the Knicks’ swarming defense.
The Knicks (40-22), who own the NBA’s top-ranked defense over their last 19 games, closed the win with a 16-2 run.
The critical point was a Jalen Brunson steal with about two minutes left, which he turned into an assist on Josh Hart’s layup on the other end. It gave the Knicks an 11-point lead and sent Toronto faithful funneling to the exits.
“We got stops. We were able to run late,” Brunson said. “We were trying to get as many easy baskets as much as possible. Made a couple key shots as well. But it really started with our defense.”
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TORONTO — The Knicks’ much-improved defense locked up when it was most needed.
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