The Knicks took care of business on Saturday, though it took an extra five minutes in an overtime victory over the Hornets, and now, all attention turns toward the Bucks and Heat.
New York, still in a battle for the fourth seed in the East and home court in the first round of the playoffs, could control its own destiny in Sunday's regular season finale against the Celtics if Milwaukee beats Miami on Saturday night. Given the massive seeding implications, the Knicks will be tuned in and pulling for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
"Yeah, I'll be watching," Julius Randle said. "Of course I'll be watching. I watch games anyway, but when it has to do with us, I'll be watching. But whatever happens, happens. We'll be waiting for whatever the challenge is."
Whether it's the Bucks or Hawks in the first round, and whether that first playoff game for the franchise since 2013 is at home or on the road, the Knicks feel ready for postseason intensity after playing at that level for nearly two weeks.
"It's felt like that for a while now, honestly," Randle said. "Every game we play, we've played a lot of tough games. Since we were on the road trip, everyone has been gearing up for the playoffs and positioning and stuff like that. Every game has felt like that type of intensity and environment. So I think it's prepared us."
Plenty is still to be determined in the final days of the regular season, but by fighting off a furious Hornets rally on Saturday and avoiding the collapse of an 18-point lead means tonight's game in Milwaukee is still a meaningful one, and the Knicks won't shy away from acknowledging that game's importance, while realizing whatever happens, their preparation for the playoffs won't change.
"Yeah, I'll be locked in on that," Nerlens Noel said. "I know [the Heat] trying to get that fifth seed and solidify their division. But we really need to focus on ourselves no matter who wins or loses. We have to show up no matter who we're playing against and play 48 minutes of basketball."
The Knicks didn't play a full 48 minutes on Saturday, but they still pulled out a win against a team that was fighting for its own playoff positioning. It was another quality test of high-leverage minutes with plenty of stakes, which should bode well for a team that as a whole is lacking in playoff experience.
"This team is built in the best way possible," Noel said. "Guys know their job and we know what we have to do game by game. We're just trying to get that fourth seed. Today was a good test for us, a young hungry team just like last game with San Antonio, so we're going to get that and that's going to help us get in shape for the playoffs."
Randle admits he has been scoreboard watching in recent days, and says anyone who says they aren't is "a liar." So he and the Knicks will be watching the Heat and Bucks on Saturday night, and while the hope is for home court, they will go into the playoffs with the belief that they will be a tough out, regardless of opponent.
"I think they know we're a gritty, hard-playing team that's able to play on both ends of the court, especially when our defense is clicking," Noel said. "That could be a type of nightmare. I'm very confident in our abilities. No matter who the matchup is, we'll be right and ready to go."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
