Detroit – Throughout three games, Dennis Schroeder outperforms the entire Knicks Bench.
The Pistons guard has been a somewhat unexpected factor so far in these seven opening round playoff series, but the statistics above are also symbolic of the Knicks’ reserves, which are struggling to make an impact.
Schroder has scored 46 points in the series, with the Knicks bench taking 39 and just 17 in the last two games.
The reserve played a major role in Game 1 victory, particularly in Come Payne’s appearance in Come Payne, where he exploded 11 of the 14 points in the opener.
The Knicks might not have won without him.
However, Payne manages just four points in 13 minutes.
Miles McBride didn’t look right either.
Landry Shamet only scored two points throughout the series.
In fact, Mitchell Robinson was the most consistent player from the bench for Tom Thibodeau’s team.
He was effective in Game 3, producing four rebounds and two steels in 16 minutes.
Thibodeau began playing the town of Karl Anthony and more Robinson, with the appearance of two big guys that give the Knicks more rim protection and size.
Really, when comparing the two benches it was a mismatch.
It wasn’t Schroeder.
Malik Beasley is roughly the same strong, scoring 41 points in three games, and rookie Ronald Holland II was a strong performance, earning six points, two rebounds and one block in 12 minutes.
The depth wasn’t the strength of the Knicks all year round.
They are top heavy, led by their scoring starters.
They were the last in the league to score from the bench with 21.7 points.
The Lakers on 26.2 were next to the last.
It took over in the postseason.
It’s not hurting them yet, but this series may still have a long way to go.
Sunday’s meeting at Little Caesars Arena will likely be decided if the Knicks can take a 3-1 stranglehold, or if the pistons can even raise it in two games.
