Nic Claxton says ‘defense’ on Julius Randle key to beating Knicks

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton had a tough assignment during Saturday’s 122-115 win over the New York Knicks. From the beginning, he had to figure out how to guard whoever the Knicks’ big was from Jericho Sims to Isaiah Hartenstein while providing help defense for whoever was guarding New York star Julius Randle.

Claxton, who had three blocks, appeared to perform that objective to perfection as Randle scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field when he came into this contest averaging 24.8 points per game while shooting 46.1% from the floor. Brooklyn tried different defenders on Randle as they cycled through using Joe Harris and Royce O’Neale. Normally, Ben Simmons would’ve been guarding Randle, but Simmons was ruled out prior to the game with left knee soreness.

Claxton and the Nets made limiting Randle a priority and it led to the victory in the battle for New York City. While the Knicks out-scored the Nets in the paint 68-34, Brooklyn made sure to never lose focus on defending Randle and Jalen Brunson at the rim. Claxton spoke after the game about what Randle does that made Brooklyn focus on him as part of their defensive gameplan in this game:

“Well, he (Randle) likes to play bully ball, and get to his spot. And, he didn’t really shoot the ball away from three today, and he likes to get to his spots and get to his left hand. And, I pretty much was kind of guarding my man and also guarding him at the same time, which was, I think made it a little tough for him and Royce (O’Neale) did a really good job to guard him. And, just our overall team defense slowed him down.”