Knicks hold off Wolves 107-102 behind Anthony, Afflalo

Mike Stobe/Getty Images Rookies Karl-Anthony Towns (r.) of the Timberwolves and Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis fight for position under the glass.

The Knicks built a 60-40 halftime lead after outscoring Minnesota 33-14 in the second quarter.

Porzingis tried to teach Towns a lesson with this little piece here. Towns shot 11 of 20. I think the most surprising thing about his game has been the ease in which he’s been able to score, in multiple ways.

When asked about the historic start to his National Basketball Association career shortly before taking on the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Minnesota Timberwolves center and New Jersey native Karl-Anthony Towns was emphatic that even his impressive play was still below his expectations. Porzingis is in serious talks for the Rookie of the Year award, and has been drawing comparisons to a young Dirk Nowitzki.

Make no mistake, both Towns and Porzingis play for teams that are still far away from competing in important games. The game ended, however, with Porzingis blocking Towns’ 3-point shot at the buzzer. “I know as a player, you never wanted to feel like you don’t have an opportunity, because everything was already set”. No Knicks player but Patrick Ewing has had more in one season in almost 30 years.

Fisher added that more than fatigue, players are playing Porzingis differently, now that there’s more tape on him and he’s played some teams a few times.

Knicks: Fisher has been pleased with Kyle O’Quinn, who came in averaging 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games since returning to the rotation on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.

Twelve years? “I hope it’s 20-plus”, Towns said. “They’re not fighting for All-Star berths. It’s just another good big man that he has to see”.

“This is kind of the first experience of playing so many games and on the road and in six days, four games”, Porzingis said of the New York Knicks ‘ recently completed three-game road trip.

-Kevin Garnett suited up, but did not see any action due to rest after playing last night against the Denver Nuggets. Martin averaged 29.5 points as the Timberwolves swept both of last season’s meetings.2.

Porzingis knows his size and length are incredible assets, and he’s going to use them to challenge guys at the rim, even if it means he winds up on the wrong end of some highlights. Like Anthony, Rubio also flirted with a triple-double with nine points, 10 boards, 12 assists and eight steals. Afflalo led all scorers with his season-high output. The Knicks would have been ecstatic with Towns, but they’re thrilled to have Porzingis. “Not only rookies. I’m just looking forward to the next game”, Porzingis said.

If you had to take a poll right now of whom the leader in the clubhouse for the Rookie of the Year through about a quarter of the National Basketball Association season is a lot of people would probably say Kristaps Porzingis.