McBride helps Knicks cruise past Raptors 145
Miles McBride matched his career-high with 29 points and All-Star Jalen Brunson poured in 26 points as the New York Knicks routed the Toronto Raptors 145-101 in Wednesday night's NBA game.
With the win, New York has won seven of their last eight games and improves to 44-28 on the season. The team moves into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, half a game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29), and trails the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) by two games.
The Knicks' offense surged with season highs in assists (37), 3-pointers made (22), and points scored. The 145 points were also the franchise's most points scored in regulation since 1980.
"We got into a good rhythm," said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau after the lopsided victory. "We created shots for each other, created advantages, and trusted the pass."
23-year-old McBride drained a career-high nine threes, including six in the first quarter. The third-year guard is averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 threes (on 48.9 percent shooting) over the last five games.
His teammate Donte DiVincenzo, who set a franchise record of 11 threes in Monday night's win over the Detroit Pistons, nailed five 3-pointers for 16 points.
Forward Precious Achiuwa recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The 24-year-old Nigerian returned to Toronto for the first time since being traded away in December last year.
Big man Mitchell Robinson, who was the team's starting center before going down with an ankle injury in December, returned to action after a 50-game absence. The 25-year-old, who has played his entire six-year career with the Knicks, recorded eight points, two rebounds and two blocks in 12 minutes of action.
With 10 games remaining in the season, Thibodeau's squad is on course to reach the 50-win mark for the first time in over a decade. In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire led the team to the No. 2 seed with a 54-28 record.