Heroes, zeros from Knicks Game 1 win over Pistons: Jalen Brunson recovers from slow start for huge game

Heroes and zeros from the Knicks’ 123-112 Game 1 win over the Pistons on Saturday:After a rough start, he changed his sneakers and came back as the superstar the Knicks have grown accustomed to.After starting 3-for-14 from the field, Brunson made 9 of his next 13 shots and finished with a game-high 34 points and eight assists. He disappeared for long stretches of the game, a concern many had about him entering the playoffs.

He finished with just eight points and was a team-worst minus-16.The Knicks were lucky to overcome his no-show. A question to even be in the postseason rotation, he scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, which helped spark the Knicks’ empathic 21-0 run.

His energy was infectious with his teammates as well. 62-46 Knicks’ advantage in points in the paint.For all that was made about how tough the Pistons are inside, the Knicks bullied them there.

Much of that came from Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 23 points. “I think he grabbed his cape.” — Tom Thibodeau on what changed for Brunson ...