NEW YORK _ Frank Ntilikina was hungry to get back on the court, and the Knicks looked like a team hungry for its first win of the season. They both left Madison Square Garden satisfied Friday night.
Ntilikina had some nifty passes and played strong defense in his regular-season home debut and the Knicks played together from start to finish. They even looked like they knew the plays in a 107-86 bashing of the Nets.
The Knicks rebounded nicely from Tuesday's 21-point loss to the Celtics.
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek made a lineup change, inserting veteran point guard Jarrett Jack for fellow vet Ramon Sessions. The Knicks (1-3) moved the ball, played aggressive defense, and rebounded the ball against the Nets, who looked nothing like the team that beat the Cavaliers two nights ago. The Knicks outrebounded the Nets 55-34.
"We had to get that first win of the season," Kristaps Porzingis said during an on-court interview.
Porzingis led the Knicks with 30 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Lee added 13 and Enes Kanter scored 12 points, all during a 36-24 third quarter that helped the Knicks put the game away.
Ntilikina returned from a two-game absence due to a sprained left ankle and made his regular-season home debut and showed he can run a team.
In 21 minutes, the No. 8 pick in the draft scored nine points and matched Jack with a team-high five assists. Ntilikina played just 7:32 in the Knicks' opening-night loss to the Thunder and was scoreless with one assist and one turnover.
D'Angelo Russell scored 15 and Quincy Acy 12 for the Nets (3-3).
