There’s something about his home state of Texas that brings out the very best in Julius Randle.
After ransacking Dallas for 44 points last month, Randle kicked off May with 31 points in 30 minutes in punishing chatty Houston as the Knicks began their six-game Western trip with a 122-97 whitewashing of the awful Rockets.
The victory assured the Knicks (36-28) of a .500 record. They haven’t posted a record of .500 or better since 2012-13. The Knicks also hadn’t won in Houston since 2015-16, but this is a sorry edition of the Rockets who fell to 16-49, 5-35 in their last 40, and are missing starting point guard John Wall.
Randle made 13 of 22 shots — 4 of 9 from 3-point land — as his All-NBA campaign raged on with a 15-point third quarter. RJ Barrett gave him complementary help, scoring 21 points and Derrick Rose was a demon off the bench with 24 points.
“The middle of the third period Julius took the game over and gave us a cushion,’’ Tom Thibodeau said.
During his third-quarter romp, Randle looked ecstatic, smiling and yapping as he trundled back on defense after his baskets. A small group of Knicks fans chanted “MVP” during his surge. Randle has scored 30 points or more in eight of his last 10 games.
It wasn’t only being back in Texas that had Randle extra animated.
“I always like playing in Houston as well [as Dallas].’’ Randle said “[But] a couple of guys on their team were talking stuff. I love that competition. [And it’s] the first game of the road trip and had to get off on the right start.’’
After a Rockets timeout, Randle gave a hug to senior vice president William Wesley, who was — per usual — whooping it up near the bench.
“He’s one of our biggest supporters out there cheering for us every day,’’ Randle said. “It’s amazing to have someone like that from the front office be that into it. It makes it that much more fun.’’
Thibodeau finally admitted Randle’s stunning rise caught him a little by surprise.
“I thought he’d have a good year,’’ Thibodeau said. “I didn’t see this level. The big thing was the 3. It stood out in the summer. To say I thought he could be at an all-NBA level?’’
Nobody saw it, nor did anyone see the Knicks a season-high eight games over .500 with eight to play.
“We’re fighting for something,’’ said Rose. “Down the stretch we want to be playing our best basketball.’’
Before the game, Rose chatted with Rockets assistant Jeff Hornacek, who coached Rose in 2016-17 when the Knicks were amidst their playoff drought. They’ve already clinched at least a spot in the play-in tournament, but in fourth place they are solidifying home-court advantage for themselves in the first round.
The only bad news is starting center Nerlens Noel suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter, according to the Knicks, after he bumped knees with Christian Wood and left the game.
The salvation is Thibodeau got the benefit of resting his starters in the fourth quarter as the Knicks built a 30-point lead with a game in Memphis on tap Monday.
Randle, who leads the league in minutes, didn’t even have to play the final period and finished at 30:14.
“Amazing,’’ Randle said. “I enjoyed it thoroughly.’’
That meant more Obi Toppin time.
“The good thing for us is Obi’s really playing well and given us an opportunity [to rest Randle],’’ Thibodeau said. “I really respect he came in in incredible shape. I’m not surprised he’s been able to handle the workload. He can handle the minutes.’’
The NBA will announce its Coach of the Month for April and Thibodeau has a strong chance after an 11-4 month. And now May is off to a great start too.
Rockets rookie head coach Stephen Silas refused to double-team Randle as most teams have done. Randle had a big start and then in the third quarter he exploded.
“They’re athletic and play a lot of zone and a lot of switching,’’ Thibodeau said. “They were swarming but he’s seen every kind of defense all season. He’s gotten comfortable attacking zones. He’s become very efficient against the switch and you have to guard him all over the floor.’’
Silas said before the game the Knicks had the toughness of the early 1990s Knicks when he was a team ballboy.
His father, Paul, was an assistant coach for Stu Jackson and Pat Riley and Silas reminisced about cleaning up the sweat of players like Patrick Ewing, Xavier McDaniel and Mark Jackson.
Silas said this group of Knicks had the same sweat and grit as those clubs. And just maybe they will be as fierce in the playoffs.
