Teams are rarely as bad as they seem during losing streaks (although in 2024, the Chicago White Sox put that theory to the test). But teams are also rarely as good as they seem during winning streaks.

The Knicks?

They’ll bring an eight-game winning streak into Madison Square Garden when they host the Utah Jazz on New Year’s Day.

If this were college basketball, the good news of the hot streak would be tempered by the quality of opponent. The Knicks have feasted upon tankers (Washington — twice — and Toronto) and the severely depleted (Orlando — twice — and New Orleans) in addition to adding feel-good wins over the not-yet-ready-for-prime-time Spurs and the Timberwolves in Karl-Anthony Towns’ homecoming game.