For the first time in this fun series, the Knicks played with a lead in Thursday’s Game 3 and played like they deserved to win. It started in the opening quarter, with Mikal Bridges or Josh Hart frequently bringing up the ball while providing Brunson a respite — while Karl-Anthony Towns soaked up the majority of scoring opportunities.

Through the first week of the NBA playoffs, one thing that has stood out is the lack of ball movement from the New York Knicks in their series with the Detroit Pistons. Speaking to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, one scout for a Western Conference team thinks that Jalen Brunson's style of play has "caught up" with the Knicks in the playoffs:

When an NBA game is on the line, you want the basketball in New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson’s hands. He was named Clutch Player of the Year.