MIAMI — Tom Thibodeau didn’t have to speak to RJ Barrett about his determination to take a seat him down the stretch within the Knicks’ Sport 2 victory on Tuesday.
Barrett understood the reasoning, regardless of persevering with to play effectively within the win.
“We received the sport. That was the lineup that was capable of take the lead,” Barrett mentioned after Friday’s follow. “That’s what occurred that night time, and we received. So I’m completely happy.”
Barrett is within the midst of a formidable stretch, 5 straight playoff video games during which he has scored at the least 19 factors.
In that point, he’s averaging 23.2 factors, 5.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and taking pictures 50 p.c from the sphere.
He’s additionally taking pictures the three effectively after struggling from distance through the common season, going 11-for-30 over these final 5 video games.
On this collection in opposition to the Warmth, Barrett has been significantly efficient within the first half, scoring 13 factors in Sport 1 and 19 in Sport 2 within the first 24 minutes.
“I’m simply taking part in, no matter pictures are there, I’m simply making an attempt to be aggressive from the start and browse the protection,” he mentioned. “Now we have Jalen [Brunson] and Julius [Randle] on the market additionally who draw loads of consideration as effectively, so every time I may be that man to place strain on the protection, it helps.”
Comply with The Put up’s protection of the Knicks vs. Warmth NBA playoff collection
The Knicks don’t appear involved with Immanuel Quickley’s struggles this postseason, believing it’s only a matter of time till the super-sub will get going.
The Sixth Man of the 12 months runner-up hasn’t been the identical participant within the playoffs, averaging simply 8.6 factors, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists whereas taking pictures 35.2 p.c from the sphere in solely 22.1 minutes.
He was on the ground for under 9 minutes in Sport 2.
“Fast’s a shotmaker, so I don’t need him second-guessing himself, and I do know he received’t,” Thibodeau mentioned. “No participant goes to shoot nice each recreation. He is aware of how one can put the ball within the basket.”
