Knicks explode for 44-point win over Pistons

Julius Randle poured in 29 points and grabbed 8 rebounds as the New York Knicks built a 26-point, first-quarter lead and cruised to a 125-81 victory over the host Detroit Pistons on Saturday, April 3 (Sunday, April 4, Manila time).

Reggie Bullock fired in 22 points, including 6 three-pointers, as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and completed a three-game sweep of the season series.

RJ Barrett had 14 points, Immanuel Quickley tossed in 12, and Elfrid Payton contributed 11 with 9 assists. Taj Gibson also scored 11 points for the Knicks, who led by as many as 47 points.

Jerami Grant led Detroit with 16 points. Hamidou Diallo added 14 points and Cory Joseph chipped in 10.

The Knicks made 12 steals and 11 blocks and scored 26 points off turnovers. Offensively, New York shot 54.4% from the field and committed just 7 turnovers.

Randle hit the 20-point mark by the end of the 1st quarter as the Knicks streaked to a 41-15 lead. They scored the first 14 points of the game, prompting Detroit coach Dwane Casey to remove his entire starting unit in the first 4 minutes.

Randle drained corner three-pointers in the first 1:12. Bullock also knocked two three-pointers before the Pistons got on the scoreboard. New York was up 16-1 before Diallo dunked for the Pistons’ first field goal.

Randle and Bullock combined for the next 8 points. They each scored a basket in the final minute of the quarter.

New York increased its lead to 30, 51-21, with 7:45 left in the half when ex-Pistons guard Derrick Rose made a jumper.

Detroit cut the deficit to 19, 60-41, by halftime behind Grant, who had 11 first-half points.

Randle converted a three-point play, his first points since the opening quarter, midway through the 3rd period to make it 74-52.

Bullock made a three-pointer from the corner in the closing seconds of the quarter for an 88-61 Knicks lead.

New York continued to increase the margin in the 4th quarter. – Rappler.com