NBA Power Rankings: New York Knicks Rising Amidst Win Streak?
The New York Knicks are riding a three-game winning streak going into the In-Season Tournament semifinal on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
New York (12-7) is not only winning, but they are doing it comfortably, as the three wins came by a combined 44-point margin. Granted, the victories came against three teams unlikely to make much noise in the postseason this year (Charlotte, Detroit Toronto), but these victories have potentially helped build some confidence and momentum heading into more high-profile games like Thursday's at Fiserv Forum.
Jalen Brunson during last week's game against Detroit
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
With that in mind, CBS Sports placed the Knicks in the ninth spot in their latest power rankings, two spots from the prior edition.
"The Knicks beat the Hornets, Pistons, and Raptors this week with a net rating of plus-14 (that's good!), as the defense and offense were both clicking against a few struggling teams," CBS' Colin-Ward Henninger wrote. "Jalen Brunson averaged 25 points and eight assists for the week, shooting 48 percent from three-point range."
If the Knicks can find a way to keep this win streak going against more talented teams, they should find themselves even higher in the next listings. Though the Knicks currently have only two games scheduled this week, there will be an opportunity to move further no matter what happens in Milwaukee on Tuesday.
Depending on the result of Tuesday's game, the Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers in the Las Vegas-based semifinal round with a win or the conference-leading Boston Celtics with a loss. The Knicks have lost to the division rival Celtics twice already this season and they've also dropped seven in a row to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
