Julius Randle Scores 37 in Knicks Win Over Washington

Through March 23rd, only one game separates the four through eight playoff positions in the standings in the NBA Eastern Conference. One of these teams is the New York Knicks, currently tied for the fifth slot with Miami. Both teams are 22-22. The Knicks are hovering around that .500 mark, having gone 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Knicks are playing good defense, and lead the league in fewest point allowed at 105 per game, but that is offset by their offense which is 28th (third from the bottom) at 105.3, yet another indication of being a .500 team.

The Knicks would probably be some distance under .500 if it wasn’t for Julius Randle. The seven year veteran power forward is leading the team with 23.3 points per game, 5.9 assists, and 10.9 rebounds, all of which are career highs. Randle hit seven of 10 three pointers and scored 37 points in leading the Knicks to a 131-113 win over Washington on March 23rd.

The Knicks were 5-3 back on January 6th, then lost five in a row. They’ve hovered near, but haven’t been above, .500 since. The victory over the Wizards, who have lost nine of 11, was the first of a back to back against Washington, with the next game on March 25th. This could be the perfect opportunity to finally get back above .500.