After back-to-back terrible starts in Indianapolis, Tom Thibodeau made changes to his lineup.
And it was a huge success.
With the Knicks trailing in Game 5, Miles McBride replaced Precious Achiuwa and was the catalyst for Tuesday’s 121-91 victory, dropping 17 points, but more importantly. , he held off Tyrese Haliburton with his defense.
This wasn’t a shocking lineup change, considering Thibodeau used McBride over Achiuwa to start the second half of Game 4, and there were several reasons for this strategy.
In Game 4, the offense was anemic and Haliburton was ejected early.
However, in Game 5, the Knicks’ offense ramped up, scoring 38 points in the first quarter, with McBride dropping nine points by himself.
Haliburton was chased by McBride and was held to a three-point lead in the first quarter.
Halliburton finished with just 13.
This adjustment also allows Achiuwa to become the backup center in place of Jericho Sims, who looked overwhelmed in that spot in Games 3 and 4.
McBride’s presence as a ball handler also helped free up Jalen Brunson, who re-emerged as a star with 44 points on Tuesday.
McBride was a successful starter during the regular season, averaging 17.9 points in 14 games and leading the Knicks to a 6-8 record.
According to TNT, the “realistic goal” for OG Anunoby’s return is the Eastern Conference Finals, which means the forward will miss Friday’s Game 6 at Indiana.
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“The goal of his return is probably going to be the Eastern Conference Finals,” sideline reporter Chris Haynes said before broadcasting the game.
Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain in Game 2 and hasn’t played since.
Thibodeau said Anunoby started doing “light work” on the court.
Last Sunday’s update, he was only doing pool training.
“When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Thibodeau said.
Apparently, Thibodeau was someone he admired during his college days.
At least in his own mind.
“He had the build of Adonis,” Dennis Grube, Thibodeau’s former teammate and roommate at Salem State University, told ESPN. He knew he looked good. He spent a lot of time looking at himself in the mirror. ”
But the now 66-year-old Knicks coach never settled down because basketball was his greatest love.
According to his ESPN profile, Thibodeau called off his engagement two months before the wedding because getting married would interfere with his basketball career.
