Julius Randle didn’t necessarily seem upset by the unbalanced schedule, but the Knicks’ All-Star forward did acknowledge the lopsided nature of it.
After reaching the inaugural In-Season Tournament’s quarterfinals and losing to the Bucks, the Knicks visit the Celtics on Friday.
That means they will end up facing the two best teams in the Eastern Conference a total of 10 times, with six coming on the road.
Asked about the quirk in the schedule, Randle paused and said:
“We got five versus both? What do you want me to say, that’s bulls-–t? What can we do about it? That’s just the way it went.”
Knicks players Immanuel Quickley (5), Jalen Brunson (11) and Julius Randle (30) during their tournament loss to the Bucks on Dec. 5, 2023. NBAE via Getty ImagesIt could be a major factor in the spring, when it comes down to playoff seeding and home-court advantage.
The Nets, for example, play the inconsistent Hawks and woeful Wizards this week.
The rival Heat met the sub.-500 Raptors, and the 76ers took on Washington.
The Knicks will also end up playing just 40 games at the Garden this year and 42 away.
“Life’s not fair,” Jalen Brunson said.
The Knicks have struggled against good teams, sporting a 2-8 record when facing an opponent above .500.
Meanwhile, they are 10-0 against teams at .500 or worse.
Friday will be another opportunity to change that.
“It’s always a good thing. You want to see where you are,” Brunson said. “When you play a team that has the weapons that they do, [Friday] and a couple of days ago, you are only seeing where you are as a team and how you can get better.”
The Celtics are hoping to get back Kristaps Porzingis for Friday night.
The big man is probable with a left calf strain.
Porzingis, a first-round pick by the Knicks in 2015, has missed the past five games.
The 7-foot-2 Porzingis has averaged 25.5 points and seven rebounds in a pair of wins over his former team this year.
