Mikal Bridges scores game-high 36 points but Knicks roar back in 4th quarter to top Nets
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No one could stop Mikal Bridges on Tuesday night. Not the Knicks. Not the distraction created by model Tyra Banks, who was spotted courtside in the first half sitting between a pair of vibrant Furries.
The All-Star hopeful finished with 36 points, five rebounds and five assists in Brooklyn’s 108-103 loss at Barclays Center. He knocked down a career-best seven 3-pointers in his first 30 minutes on the court and dropped 18 points in the third quarter as the Nets outscored the Knicks 36-26 — an offensive burst that swung the game in Brooklyn’ favor for the moment.
But it was not enough.
Up 95-87 with 7:12 left in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn surrendered an 11-2 run over the next three minutes that saw the Knicks go up a point with four minutes left. Keep in mind, this latest offensive drought came just one game after the Nets gave up a 22-0 run to end Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to the Clippers. And that set up the team’s latest disappointment.
The Knicks ultimately ended the game on a 20-8 run to secure their fourth straight win and tenth in 13 games since acquiring forward OG Anunoby. Cam Johnson had a chance to tie the game at 106 with 6.8 second left in regulation but his 3-pointer missed off the left of the rim.
The Knicks shot 11-of-26 in the final frame while Brooklyn went 7-of-23. The Nets surrendered five offensive rebounds over the final 12 minutes, which led to nine second-chance points for the Knicks.
The Nets have now lost six of their last seven games and extended their losing streak against the Knicks to four games.
The loss wasted Johnson’s best offensive performance since Dec. 26, as the forward finished with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting (4-of-6 from deep) in 25 minutes. Center Nic Claxton also pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle combined for 60 points on 21-of-41 shooting. The Knicks won the war in the paint 58-44.
The inter-borough rivals will meet again at Madison Square Garden on March 23. The Nets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center on Thursday.