Westchester Knicks top Windy Cindy Bulls 95-82 for 1st playoff win in franchise history

Facing off against the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League Eastern Quarterfinal playoffs last night at the Westchester County Arena in White Plains it was win or go home for the Knicks with the single-elimination format in place. During the regular season series between both teams, the Knicks had taken two out of the three meetings.

Sensing the urgency, Westchester came out firing on all cylinders with shooting guard Billy Garrett leading the charge, tallying 12 points as the Knicks led by a commanding score of 28-10 at the end of the first quarter. They shot about 60 percent from the field while Windy City shot a miserable 19 percent.

Billy Garrett (@BGarrett_5) fueled the @wcknicks' offense on Wednesday with 20 PTS & 11 AST in their FIRST-EVER #GLeaguePlayoffs win!@DePaulHoops ↗️ @wcknicks pic.twitter.com/zsAkAHem6V

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 28, 2019

The Bulls answered back with a 7-2 run to trim the margin with less than nine minutes remaining. A physical contest ensued as Paul Watson and Thomas Wilder were assessed double technical fouls after Watson blocked a Wilder driving lay-up in the paint and stared him down. However, Westchester regained its mojo due to contributions from Zak Irvin and Luke Kornet as the advantage expanded to 47-32 at halftime.

Shooting just 28 percent from the floor in the first half, Windy City came out of the locker room a different squad in the third quarter. They hit jump shots from behind the arc and drove into the paint as they outscored the Knicks 27-20 to make it a 67-59 game at the end of the period.

A quick 5-0 spurt to start the fourth quarter by Westchester bumped the lead back to 74-62 with less than 10 minutes to go. When it seemed the Knicks were about to deliver the knockout punch, Windy City responded with a run to cut the gap to 79-71, with less than seven minutes left.

On this night, Westchester had plenty of offensive firepower, as five players scored in double figures. It was the gritty performance from Jameel Warney, totaling 14 points and 18 rebounds at the three and half minute mark that kept the lead from slipping away. Defensively, the Knicks shut down the Bulls’ offense, allowing just four points in the final three minutes as Westchester coasted to the 95-82 victory and first NBA G League Playoff win in franchise history.

After the First Round single-elimination win, @wcknicks’ Head Coach Mike Miller addressed his team! #GLeaguePlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qsdWr4jbVD

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 28, 2019

Garrett and Warney each contributed with game-high 20 points apiece, with Garrett adding 12 assists and Irvin netting 19 points and 14 rebounds. Kornet had 14 points and Paul Watson dropped in 10 points. The Knicks dominated the backboards, outrebounding Windy City 54-40 while blocking 10 shots. Walton Lemon Jr. led the Bulls in scoring with 29 points and Mychal Mulder pumped in 20 points.

Next up for the Knicks is an Eastern Conference Semifinals showdown against the Lakeland Magic on Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. Tip-off set for 7:00 p.m ET.