The record at the halfway mark is 26-15, two games better than last year. You double that, you get 52-30, which is also two games better than last year. That’s not a terrible record by any standard. There have been years Knicks fans would have mortgaged their homes, maybe ransomed their souls if necessary, for such a record.
So why is the feeling around the Knicks right now so … meh?
Well, a lot of it was on display Monday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Pistons added another chapter to the best ascendancy story in pro basketball, beating the Knicks for a second time at the Garden this year.
It was a thrilling finish, and the crowd was fully engaged, and it didn’t matter. Karl-Anthony Towns, who played bravely and brilliantly (and, perhaps, foolishly) all night, allowed one wayward ball to tip off his fingers. He drew an illegal screen late when he looked like he was protecting his hand from contact. Malik Beasley hit a pair of late, clutch 3s. The final score was 124-119. The final buzzer was met with a groan.