The New York Knicks are back at .500 with a 4-4 record after winning over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday and the game saw strong performances from Kristaps Porzingis, Lance Thomas and Carmelo Anthony. Head coach Derek Fisher has the Knicks playing hard and the team has so far played above expectations this season.
The Knicks came into the season with expectations of improvement from last year when the team won 17 games and they are on their way to eclipsing that number this year. The Knicks early success has some thinking the team can make the playoffs in the east and right now in the standings they are in postseason position, but it's obviously still very early. The Knicks dipped under .500 after starting 2-1 on the season, but the team now is back at 4-4 after winning over the Raptors, who are leading the Atlantic division.
The Knicks have now won two straight games since losing three straight against the Spurs, Cavaliers and Bucks and they have another chance at a win against the Hornets coming up next. One of the goals for the Knicks this season was to challenge teams in every game, even in losses, and so far the team has followed through on that. Kristaps Porzingis has exceeded expectations and he is looking like a very solid NBA player, while Jerian Grant, Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas have all contributed as well.
Carmelo Anthony has been off to a slow start shooting the ball this season, but he broke through on Tuesday and had one of his best games so far. Anthony led the way with 25 points to lead the team and he shot 10-for-23 and added four rebounds and three assists. If Anthony can get going, the Knicks really will be in position to keep winning, as the supporting cast has been playing well around Anthony so far this season. The Knicks have a solid second unit coming off of the bench and players like Robin Lopez, Kyle O'Quinn and Derrick Williams have given the team a hardnosed identity.
Lance Thomas had his best performance of the season for the Knicks and he was key in the victory against the Raptors. Thomas played 22 minutes in the game and he finished the game with 17 points and made three long range shots and he played the majority of the fourth quarter. Porzingis also had a solid performance and while he did not have his best game stat-wise with just eight points and six rebounds, Porzingis had another highlight rebound dunk and made an impact defensively when he was on the floor.
Porzingis has been playing well this season and he is averaging 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds and has been starting for the Knicks. The Knicks have opened the season with a challenging schedule, as ESPN reports that the team is ranked in the top 10 in toughest schedules to open the year. ESPN writes that the Knicks have not been at .500 or better this late in the season since back in 2012 and while the record of 4-4 is not amazing, the team will take this as progress for right now.
