Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby pick up slack for other Knicks stars in comeback win over Raptors

On the same day news broke that the Bucks were fielding offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the short-handed Knicks pulled off an impressive 119-92 comeback victory Wednesday over the Raptors.The heroes were the wings, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, who combined for 56 points and keyed the third-quarter turnaround that extended New York’s winning streak to four games.WingStop compensated for a sickly off night from Jalen Brunson, who was battling an illness and managed just 13 points and sat for most of the second half.Karl-Anthony Towns was also ineffective offensively (just eight points) but provided the highlight of the evening — a nifty over-the-shoulder pass to Bridges during that game-breaking third-quarter run.Towns sprinted to the hoop from the trail position, just in time to grab an offensive rebound — the 19th of his season-high 22 boards — and shovel his no-look assist to a streaking Bridges while falling out of bounds.It gave the Knicks a nine-point lead, which expanded to 27 by the final buzzer.
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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The Knicks (29-18) improved to 3-0 against the Raptors (29-20) this season.
They trailed by as many as 12 in the first half and won the second 72-41.They killed the Raptors’ spirit with a 13-0 run to end the third quarter, perhaps their best stretch since New Year’s Eve.
Bridges scored 19 of his 30 points in the third quarter, shooting 12-for-15 overall.It was his best game in a long time.The result had implications on the standings.
The teams entered Wednesday in a virtual tie for third in the East, behind the Pistons and Celtics.The Knicks are now a full game ahead.Mike Brown said it didn’t matter, not in January.“I haven’t looked at it recently but I know we’re right ther...