The New York Knicks used their depth in their final game of the season.
The regular season is over, and after 81 games, Tom Thibodeau finally decided to rest his New York Knicks starters for the final 82nd.
The one exception was Mikal Bridges, who played a total of six seconds before being taken off, keeping his immaculate NBA starting record alive.
The Knicks back-ups still had enough to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 113-105.
Cam Payne can make an impact
Former Phoenix Suns star Cameron Payne was among the New York Knicks players to get an extended run out against the Nets.
Payne played 34 minutes, scoring 21 points, with 2 rebounds and 7 assists.
The 30-year-old signed with the Knicks as a free agent last summer and has played in 71 games, but has only started four.
Having reached the finals with the Suns previously, Payne can add some useful experience to the Knicks in the post-season.
Speaking on MSG Network, Alan Hahn said he was impressed by Payne’s enthusiasm, ever since he rocked up to the Knicks’ first pre-season game this past summer.
He explained: “What I love about campaign is with something that Mike Breen has talked about a lot, it’s his enthusiasm for the game.”
“I remember watching him in Charlotte, and I remember seeing him dancing before warm ups in the preseason. I’m thinking, like this guy is fired up for preseason. What does he care?
“It’s how much he loves to play. And so veterans like him, especially a guy like he who has been to the finals, when it gets to playoff time you can only imagine just how much more the enthusiasm goes up.”
Cam Payne understands his role
Hahn continued to praise how Payne accepts his role on the Knicks, and how it could be valuable.
He added: “He’s also understanding of his role and he has done it before and played it at a high level.
“Cam Payne is the guy who hate to play against, who would you love on your team.”
The Knicks’ win was their 51st win of the season, edging past their 50 wins a year ago. It is the first time since 1995 that the Knicks have logged back to back 50 win seasons.
Despite this, there are reservations over their ability to get it done in the post-season, after failing to win a single game against the Cavaliers or the Celtics in the regular season.
The Knicks are lined up to play the sixth seed Detroit Pistons in the first playoff round, with Josh Hart recently laying down the gauntlet to their opponents.
