This has been an ongoing issue for the team. It’s a problem that’s often been obscured by impressive regular season and playoff performances against weaker opponents.
The Knicks heavily rely on their starters; in fact, the other five-man rotation barely approached the minutes played by the main New York group, making them susceptible to defensive lapses.
Why is that? Well, hiding one weak defender is tricky, but it’s even harder to mask two. This presents a significant challenge for the Knicks with Jaren Branson and Karl Anthony Towns on the court. Effectively managing pick-and-roll situations requires a total dedication to communication regarding switches, as well as a strong commitment to transitioning quickly (looking at you, Towns), and consistently making the right moves.
Unfortunately, the Knicks have struggled with these aspects against the Pacers. It’s worth noting that, despite being on the floor together for 28 minutes, the Knicks found themselves outscored by 19 points.
