Terry Rozier, the NBA player facing criminal sports betting charges, has resolved at least one other matter with the federal government: a multimillion-dollar tax lien.
On Oct. 29, the IRS filed a certificate of release in Broward County (Fla.), where Rozier resides, confirming he satisfied the lien of $8.2 million, which was originally assessed in August 2023.
The release came one day after ESPN reported on the lien, which occurred a few months after Rozier was accused of taking part in a betting scheme involving prop wages on his performance as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
A federal indictment alleges Rozier tipped off a friend, Deniro Laster, that he planned to exit early from a game on March 23, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans, and that Laster and other individuals used that information to place $200,000 in wagers predicting Rozier would underperform his statistical averages.
Rozier, who was averaging 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game at the time, exited the contest against New Orleans less than 10 minutes into the first quarter and did not return, finishing with five points.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, told ESPN last month that Rozier only actually owed $9,000 on the $8 million-plus tax bill and that it had already been paid.
“We just need the IRS to help remove the now-defunct lien,” Trusty said at the time. The attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment from Sportico.
Following his arrest on Oct. 23, Rozier—currently with the Miami Heat—was placed on immediate leave by the NBA, a move swiftly condemned by the NBA Players Association, which said it would appeal.
The government alleges that after the March 23, 2023 game, Laster drove from Philadelphia to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, where they counted the tens of thousands of dollars in profits that the scheme had netted. Rozier’s scheduled arraignment is next month, and his attorney Trusty has said the player plans to plead not guilty.
Jamichael Stillwell had 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three steals for his third double-double of the season, Jordan Burks added 14 points, and UCF beat VMI 82-57 on Saturday.
The Hoosiers are 7-0 for the first time since last making the NCAA Tournament following the 2022-23 season, 50 years after posting the last perfect record in men’s college basketball.
There was plenty of drama on the final night of NBA Cup group play, with the Magic, Thunder, and Spurs winning their way in, while losses by the Cavaliers and Pistons opened the door for Miami to make it in as a Wild card.
Here are the four quarterfinal games, with how the teams got there and some quick analysis.
Dec. 9 How they got here: Orlando clinched East Group B and the No. 1 overall seed with a win over Detroit on Friday. That Pistons loss, plus a Cavaliers loss, opened the door and Miami walked through it to advance as the Wild Card with a 3-1 record.
Game Analysis: Orlando has found its footing and gone 6-2 with Paolo Banchero out — the team is making quick decisions, the ball is moving, the pace is up and the Magic's elite defense from a season ago is starting to round into form. By this game on Dec. 9 Banchero is expected to be back in the lineup, but can he fit in with what has been working in Orlando — the model for that might be Tyler Herro in Miami. The Heat began the season without their All-Star, but the combination of a new-style attacking offense that shuns picks in favor of isolation attacks, as well as brilliant play from Norman Powell, has made the Heat one of the best stories of the first quarter of the NBA Season. When Herro returned, he blended right into this system and made it even better. If Banchero can't do that or Orlando struggles at all, this Heat team will exploit it.
New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
Dec. 9 How they got here: Toronto advanced as the No. 2 seed with a 4-0 record in NBA Cup play, but it had clinched its spot a week ago with a win over Washington. New York secured its spot by beating Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee on Friday and clinching Group B, thanks to some big Duece McBride 3-pointers helping the team pull away in the fourth.
Game Analysis: The RJ Barrett revenge game? Styles make fights and this is a good one. Toronto wants to run — it starts more of its possessions in transition than any team in the league, and it's got the athletes who can finish in space with Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks are bottom 10 in the league in percentage of plays that start in transition, but they have the league's sixth-best first-shot halfcourt offense behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Which team dictates the style of game wins here, and when the Knicks do slow the game down, can Brandon Ingram dominate in the halfcourt for the Raptors?
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec. 10 How they got here: This game will be a rematch of the one we saw Friday night, which the Thunder won 123-119 behind 37 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With that, the Thunder won West Group A, but the Suns were still 3-1 in group play and had the point differential to advance as the Wild Card.
Game Analysis: Nobody has been able to slow down the 19-1 Thunder this season, but Phoenix showed how it can give them a game — and why the Suns have been one of the surprise teams of the NBA this season — with its balanced attack. Sure, SGA had the headlines, but Oklahoma City got Jalen Williams back on Friday, and while his shot looked understandably rusty (this was his first game back following offseason wrist surgeries), he finished with 11 points, eight assists, and he played some high-level defense. Phoenix had six players score in double digits, led by Collin Gillespie with 24 and Devin Booker with 21. Phoenix has been a surprise this season, but they're legit, and this will be a big stage for them to show the rest of the NBA just that.
San Antonio at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 10 How they got here: The Lakers clinched West Group B on Tuesday night with a convincing win over the Clippers, then secured home court Friday with a victory over Anthony Davis and Dallas (a game played on a regular NBA court after Luka Doncic called the Lakers’ one “dangerous” after the Clippers game; the NBA Cup court is supposed to be back for this game). The win against Dallas summed up the Lakers this season: The Mavs made a fourth-quarter push and took a one-point lead, then Doncic and Austin Reaves took over on their way to a combined 73 points on the night (LeBron James is now a very good third option in Los Angeles).
San Antonio won West Group C by beating Denver — and doing it without Victor Wembanyama or Stephon Castle, both out injured (it's unlikely that Wemby is back for this coming NBA Cup game). Devin Vassell was 7-of-9 from 3-point range on his way to 35 points for San Antonio, who also got 25 points and 10 boards from Julian Champagnie, who is having a strong season in Texas.
Game Analysis: San Antonio has gone an impressive 5-1 without Wembanyama, thanks to great play from DeAaron Fox leading the fifth-best offense in the league over that stretch. That will make an intriguing matchup against a Lakers team with an elite offense behind Doncic — who is playing like an MVP and leads the league in scoring at 35.1 per game — and just enough defense. Bet the over on this one, then grab the popcorn, it should be entertaining.
When are the NBA Cup quarterfinals, Finals
Here is the schedule for the quarterfinals and beyond:
Quarterfinals: Dec. 9 and 10 (at home of higher-seeded team)
Semifinals: Dec. 13 (Las Vegas)
Championship: Dec. 16 (Las Vegas)
How much money does the champion get?
Make no mistake, for the players it is all about the money — and the teams that have advanced this far will get some payday, but they all have their eye on the big prize.
"I think half a million dollars is still a good amount of money to be able to motivate you to want to win games," the Lakers' Jake LaRavia told NBC Sports.
Players on teams that advance out of the group stage receive bonuses from a league-sponsored prize pool, with teams that advance further receiving more. It breaks down this way:
• Each player on the team that wins the championship: $530,933
• Each player on the team that loses in the championship: $212,373
• Each player on a team that loses in the semifinals: $106,187
• Each player on a team that loses in the quarterfinals: $53,093
How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
The Knicks are a team built on consistency. Jalen Brunson is a sure bet to score efficiently almost every night while manipulating his way into scores via pull-up jumpers. Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded a double-double in all but three games. Mikal Bridges has never missed a game in his eight-year career.
Consistency is great. But every now and then, a wild card that can change the pace or tenor of a game is needed. That wild card for the Knicks is Josh Hart. After a slow start to the season, Hart has come on as of late, and it’s helping the team weather injuries on the perimeter to OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet.
After beginning the season as a reserve, Hart has emerged as a starter, replacing Mitchell Robinson. He brings a jolt of energy to the game with versatility, mad dashes in transition and hustle plays.
The Knicks' 118-109 home win over the Bucks on Friday night propelled the club into the knockout round of the NBA Cup tournament. Hart was everywhere in the victory, notching 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. With Anunoby out, Hart stepped up to take on the Giannis Antetokounmpo defensive assignment despite a severe size deficit.
The performance against the Bucks has been the norm for Hart. His efficiency has picked up as he’s padded the entire stat sheet. In the last 13 games, he's averaging 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He has also found the range, shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc during that time.
On the rebound
Hart’s had his ups and downs from outside throughout his career. He still needs to be aggressive as a scorer to keep defenses honest. Teams will sag off him even more if he’s not, mucking up driving lanes for Brunson and Towns.
He has shot better so far this season, but Hart is a career 34.2 percent three-point shooter. To weaken the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll, many opponents put a wing on Towns while hiding their center on Hart.
In Friday's win, the Bucks had Myles Turner guard Hart down the stretch while Antetokounmpo checked Towns. The Knicks looked to bring Turner into every Brunson pick-and-roll. As the Bucks blitzed Brunson, it allowed Hart to attack in the short roll. He had a couple of good opportunities to create. One key play was Hart finding Miles McBride for an open corner three out of a short roll.
Hart’s first four games were a struggle -- he scored just 11 points on 4-for-19 shooting. During the spell, he was out of sorts, passing up open looks.
It’s not a shock that Hart played poorly to begin the season. A back injury kept him out for most of the preseason and the season opener. Anerve injury in his right hand has also been a setback. The start of this season was an adjustment for Hart, who was coming off the bench. He started all 77 games he played in last year.
One of head coach Mike Brown’s goals with the Knicks was to get them to play faster and create easier scoring opportunities. Hart’s ability to push the pace is an underrated skill that the Knicks could use more often. They average 16.1 fastbreak points per 100 possessions when Hart is on the floor, versus just 12.8 fastbreak points per 100 possessions when he sits, per NBA Stats.
After the Knicks' starting five of Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart and Towns crumbled in the playoffs last year, the group has looked better so far in the new season. In 40 minutes, this five-man unit is plus-24.2 points per 100 possessions, per NBA Stats. With the added playmaking from Hart, it might make sense to revisit the starting lineup permanently once Anunoby returns.
Hart can go into prolonged shooting slumps, pile up careless turnovers and make questionable decisions. But he’s been consistently effective over the past month. If Hart continues to play this well, it will be hard to keep him out of the starting five going forward.
First, the Kings will host the Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. PT on Thursday, Dec. 11 at Golden 1 Center. Then they will head to Minnesota three nights later for a matchup with the Timberwolves at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Sacramento went 0-4 in Cup action in West Group A, having lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.
Entering Friday’s game against the Jazz, the Kings already were eliminated from advancing in the Cup. They fell to Utah 128-119 and now hold a 5-15 record.
The reigning NBA champion Thunder have a flawless 4-0 record in group play.
After Friday, the eight teams that will advance are set: Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns.
From this point on, it’s a single-elimination tournament featuring the eight remaining teams.
Lakers forward LeBron James and Mavericks forward Anthony Davis battle for a rebound at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers’ new big man went to the free-throw line. The team’s former big man was on the mind of fans.
“I miss you, AD!” a Lakers fan shouted into the silence as Deandre Ayton prepared to shoot a free throw in the first quarter Friday.
Former Lakers star Anthony Davis played his first game in L.A. since being traded to the Mavericks last season, finishing with 12 points, five assists, five rebounds and three blocked shots in the Lakers' 129-119 win at Crypto.com Arena.
He had an emphatic one-handed block on a shot by former teammate LeBron James in the fourth quarter, but didn’t hold any satisfaction in the play. The Mavericks lost for the fifth time in six games.
“I get pleasure in winning,” a subdued Davis said.
The Lakers (14-4) won their sixth consecutive game, securing home-court advantage for the NBA Cup tournament quarterfinals. The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs, who won West Group C, on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
Doncic had 35 points and 11 assists for the Lakers. Former Laker guard Max Christie, who was also involved in the trade, had 13 points and has become a starter for the Mavericks.
After two emotional matchups against his former team last year, Doncic said some of the feelings have subsided, but games against Dallas will always have special meaning for him.
Friday’s game was a well-timed return for Davis, who played in his first game after missing a month because of a calf strain. The injury stretched for weeks as the Mavericks fell into the basement of the Western Conference.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) scores two of his 38 points against Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) in the second half Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Meanwhile, the Lakers have the second-best record in the West. Doncic leads the league in scoring with 35.1 points per game.
Doncic’s continued ascent to superstardom and Davis’ growing injury list has only made the trade more bitter for Mavericks fans. They got their form of revenge when general manager Nico Harrison was fired on Nov. 11, but the change only signaled a new low for the franchise that went to the NBA Finals two seasons ago.
Now the player who was supposed to help fill the void left by Doncic has been included in trade rumors. The Mavericks went 3-11 without Davis.
To ensure Davis stayed in a positive mental state during the time of turmoil for the franchise, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd encouraged him to simply stay focused on getting healthy.
“The train keeps moving,” Kidd said. “No matter of a trade or a dismissal, you got to keep moving. And so for AD, [it] was to focus on his body, come back healthy. … Can't get everything solved in 24 minutes tonight, but as we go forward, we feel like we have a chance to win when he's in uniform.”
Davis was on a 24- to 27-minute limit Friday. To adhere to the restriction, he had to leave the game with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter with the Mavericks trailing by three points.
Leaving the court hurt, Davis said. He had gotten two blocks, an assist and a basket during the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, then the Lakers went on a 9-1 run after Davis went to the bench.
To Kidd, Davis is still one of the best in the world when he is healthy. The coach pointed to Davis’ impressive play in the Paris Olympics when he averaged 8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 62.5% from the field.
The Lakers didn’t need to be reminded of Davis’ talent. Coach JJ Redick said Davis would get the respect that all star players deserve because of his versatile skill set. But more than the shots he blocked or baskets he scored with the Lakers, Redick valued Davis for his support during Redick’s first year as a head coach.
“Very grateful that I had buy-in from him coming in Day 1 never had coached before,” Redick said. “So, it’s one of those things like you’re rooting for certain guys. … There are certain teammates you had, there’s always going to be guys that I coached [who] I either root for them after they are not your teammate and they are not one of your players. Just not when they play against us. Not tonight.”
The Lakers played a tribute video last year when Davis was sidelined because of an abdominal injury for his first game back after the trade. Fans showered him with cheers when he was introduced in the starting lineup Friday. James playfully bumped Davis at the center of the court before the game, then they did the same intricate handshake they performed before games as teammates.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic puts up a jumper between Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington and guard Max Christie on Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
After the game, Lakers players lined up to hug Davis. Austin Reaves, who dominated with 38 points on 12-for-15 shooting with eight rebounds and three assists, gave him a two-armed bear hug. Davis grabbed the strap of his jersey and pointed toward Reaves.
“I always liked his game, what he was able to do,” Davis said of Reaves. “Just now he’s doing it on a more consistent basis, putting up elite numbers. … He’s a player who I always knew could play to this level.”
Reaves left the Lakers locker room with Davis’ blue No. 3 jersey signed by his former teammate.
“He's one of the best players to ever touch a basketball. I don't know why he wanted my jersey,” Reaves said. “But for me to get his, it's pretty fun. … From Day 1, he was telling me to be myself, don't be anybody else. Continue to work and really be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot.”
First, the Warriors will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. PT on Friday, Dec. 12 at Chase Center. Two nights later, they’ll head to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers at 6 p.m. PT on Dec. 14 at Moda Center.
Golden State fell 104-100 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at Chase Center in the NBA Cup finale. With the Memphis Grizzlies’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans earlier that day, both the Warriors and Rockets were eliminated from the cup before their game ended.
The Warriors are 10-10 on the season and have lost four of their last five contests.
They’ll look to get back in the win column when they host the Pelicans (3-16) on Saturday at Chase Center.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves scores two of his 38 points on a fast break while being chased by Mavericks forward Naji Marshall at Crypto.con Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
On Friday night, however, Doncic shared the spotlight with Austin Reaves, who continues to be a shining star for the Lakers.
They combined for 73 points during the Lakers’ 129-119 win over the Mavericks, and it was Reaves holding down the leading scorer spot over backcourt running mate Doncic.
Reaves was efficient with his work in scoring 38 points, going 12 for 15 from the field and six for eight from three-point range to go with eight rebounds.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic is called of for a blocking foul on Mavericks forward Naji Marshall at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
The fans even chanted “M-V-P!" when Reaves shot two free throws midway through the fourth quarter, a sign of how dominant he was.
“I finally made the threes, so that was nice,” Reaves said. “Like you said, Luka draws so much attention. [LeBron James[ obviously [is] Bron and they are gonna get the majority of attention. I kind of run around out there and find open spots and make shots, hopefully big shots, and [I] sort of done [that] the last of the night.”
Doncic also was efficient in dropping 35 points on his old Mavericks teammates, going 10 for 17 from the field, four for nine from three-point range, and making all 11 of his free throws.
Doncic also had 11 assists and five rebounds to help the Lakers push their winning streak to six.
The emotions of playing the Mavericks aren’t as raw as they were the first time Doncic played in Dallas, but he admitted that he still has fond feelings for the franchise.
"I would say it's a little bit easier now,” Doncic said. “But like I said, games against Dallas always have some special meaning to me. I still have a lot of friends there. It's always special. It'll always be special for me."
The Lakers improved to 4-0 in NBA Cup Group B play and clinched home-court advantage in the quarterfinals. They will host the San Antonio Spurs on Dec 10.
Before the Lakers play in that NBA Cup game, they have back-to-back games here, Sunday against the Pelicans and Monday against the Suns, and then travel to Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia before returning home for the single-elimination game against the Spurs.
“Yeah, just, I mean, you want to win the games regardless, whether they're for the Cup or not,” Reaves said. “Just to have the best record that you can.”
Davis, who returned after missing 14 games because of a left calf strain, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in his first game in Los Angeles since the trade.
Deandre Ayton, who missed the Lakers' game against the Clippers on Tuesday because of a right knee contusion, had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the draft, had 13 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
Court change
The Lakers didn’t use their special NBA Cup court during their group stage game against the Mavericks after the team flagged concerns that it was too slippery.
After the Lakers debuted the special yellow court Tuesday in a win over the Clippers, Doncic said during his postgame news conference that the floor was dangerously slippery. The team reported the problem to the league, and technicians from the court vendor determined the surface was unplayable for the group stage finale, according to a team spokesperson.
The court could be repaired and available in time for the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The colorful NBA Cup courts were designed to help set the in-season tournament apart from other regular-season games. The Lakers played their first two NBA Cup games on the road — in Memphis and New Orleans — and Doncic did not remember having a problem with courts in those games, but it became immediately clear during pregame warmups Tuesday that the Lakers’ bright yellow NBA Cup court presented issues.
"Yeah, and I really appreciate the Lakers and the league,” Doncic said. “They did us a favor. I was talking about it, so I really appreciate both of them, just changing the court and (so we can) stay healthy."
For Ayton, who missed the previous game against the Clippers because of a bruised right knee, his return was more than about his 17 points and eight rebounds.
He was mostly impressed by the way Reaves performed.
“He was making some tough buckets, man, like some mean, aggressive buckets under the rim where us trees (big men) were down there and he was making some tough baskets,” Ayton said. “I’m just like, ‘You a dawg.’ I’m running back telling him, ‘You a dawg. Like, you are making some tough baskets.’ You just got to take your hat off to him. I”ve been seeing it since I got here.”
Maybe wins against the Hornets and Nets earlier this week didn’t do it for you. But Josh Hart’s play in the Knicks’ win over Milwaukee on Friday has to move the needle toward keeping him in the starting lineup.
Hart was everywhere on Friday -- Guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pushing the ball in transition. Play-making as a release to the double-teams on Jalen Brunson. Rebounding the ball.
It was a prototypical Hart game.
If his play in the starting lineup continues, Mike Brown may have to think long and hard about making a permanent change.
Brown in the last three games has gone with Karl-Anthony Towns at center, Mitchell Robinson off the bench and Hart in the lineup.
Hart is averaging seven assists and 12 rebounds per game in that span.
Again, you can brush off those numbers when they come against the Hornets and Nets, but in a highly competitive game against Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, Hart’s performance was crucial.
“He played well on both sides of the ball. He’s in a good rhythm right now,” Brunson said after the game. “Just need him to stick with that. He’s a key part, an X-factor in what we do.”
Speaking of lineups, Brown sounds like a coach who wants to see more of Robinson off the bench.
Earlier in the season, Brown seemed to favor starting Robinson alongside Towns, but the big man has come off the bench in each of his last two games.
“I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far,” Brown said after Robinson’s six points, seven rebounds and two steals off the bench Friday.
“Mitch has given us a great punch off the bench. His ability to offensive rebound against starters and backups has been huge for us. So he has to keep bringing that to the table. So he gives us a different look in the starting lineup and then gives us a different look when he comes off the bench.”
The guess here is that Robinson will continue to come off the bench if everyone is healthy.
When everyone does return, though, the big question for Brown will be whether to keep Hart in the starting lineup over options such as Landry Shamet and Miles McBride.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
MVP TALK FOR BRUNSON
Brunson had 37 points on 21 shots on Friday night. He was on fire in the third quarter (16 points, 7-8 FG's) then made all the right reads in the fourth quarter when Milwaukee sent a second defender at him.
He has scored 27 or more points in each of the past seven games.
“He should be talked about right now -- it’s early -- but as a potential MVP,” Brown said after the game. “There’s not enough chatter which -- it’s early -- so I’m not throwing a fit -- but the guy had 37 tonight on 12-of-21. And he gets blitzed often and he makes the right basketball play. He basically did what he was supposed to do and that’s why I don’t talk about it a lot because that’s what he’s capable of doing and that’s what he’s supposed to do being of that stature.
“But hopefully you guys and your peers will start really talking the right way about this young man in terms of him having some MVP talk because that’s what he is,” Brown said, referring to the media. “We’re not playing the best basketball right now but we’re trending in the right direction and he’s the engine behind it So to me, he just did what he’s supposed to do, which equates to him being the MVP of the league.”
Brown also praised another Knick point guard on Friday -- he likes what he’s seen from Tyler Kolek lately.
Kolek had five points (all off of Hart assists), two steals and an assist in 10 minutes against Milwaukee.
This continues a strong week overall for the youngster who chipped in five assists and three rebounds against Brooklyn, then seven points and three assists against Charlotte.
“I didn’t play him as much as I wanted to tonight but the last two games when he’s gotten minutes, he’s been really good defensively,” Brown said. “He’s been really physical without fouling. He’s been really good pushing the basketball and distributing the basketball while getting us into our offense. I expect nothing but that from him and again I wished I’d played him a little longer because again, (he’s) on a pretty good run.”
Ball scored 13 points in the first half and made 6 of 14 shots. Malachi Smith added 14 points and nine assists and Alex Karaban had 12 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Braylon Mullins played 10 minutes and scored two points in his debut.
Saunders made 9 of 15 shots from the floor, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range, and all five of his free throws for the Cougars (6-1). He also had eight rebounds and three steals. Wright hit 9 of 16 shots with two 3-pointers and added six assists and two steals.
Jalen Brunson is once again doing Jalen Brunson things.
The All-Star point guard has led the way for the Knicks’ offense all season, and that was the case again during Friday night’s NBA Cup victory over the Bucks.
Milwaukee led by one by after a back-and-forth first two quarters.
The captain took things over from there, though, scoring 16 of New York’s 31 points in the third quarter on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from the field to push them in front.
Brunson added just six more points in a relatively quiet final frame, but his biggest bucket was an and-one layup to put the Knicks up six with just a minute and a half left.
He out-dueled Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, finishing the night with a game-high 37 points on 12-of-21 from the field and 4-of-6 from three while dishing five assists.
“He’s a special guy,” Miles McBride said of Brunson.
“We love games where he’s able to get it going,” Josh Hart added.
There’s been plenty of games like that of late -- Brunson is averaging 31.6 points and 6.1 assists on 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from downtown over his past seven.
That’s brought his average up to 29.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds on the season.
While it’s still early, head coach Mike Brown feels he should be getting more love in MVP talks.
“There’s not enough chatter,” he said. “It’s early, so I’m not throwing a fit, but the guy had 37 tonight on 12-of-21 (shooting), and he gets blitzed often and he makes the right play -- he did what he’s supposed to do, and that’s why we don’t talk about it because that’s what he’s capable of.
“But hopefully you guys will start talking the right way about this young man in terms of him having some MVP talk because that’s what he is. We’re not playing the best basketball right now, but we’re trending in the right direction and he’s the engine behind it, so to me he did what he's supposed to do which equates to him being the MVP.”
The Knicks are officially moving on in the NBA Cup.
With Friday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks, the defending cup champions, New York locked up East Group C and booked its ticket to the quarterfinals.
It is now the only team to advance in all three years of the NBA Cup's existence.
New York went 3-1 in Group Play this time around with its only loss against the Chicago Bulls.
The Knicks now go on the road to face the Raptors in their quarterfinal matchup on Dec. 9 at 8:30 p.m.
Toronto is 14-5 on the season, and went a perfect 4-0 in group play to lock up East Group A.
The other quarterfinal matchup in the East will be the Magic (Group B) against the Heat (wild card).
