The Knicks are the hottest team in the NBA, and Tom Thibodeau’s longtime mainstay has been one of the driving forces behind their league-best 14-2 record in January.
“Defense, defense” has been a common refrain at Madison Square Garden for decades, but the Knicks have actually re-emerged as the league’s top defensive team across a variety of statistical metrics over the past month.
The easy answer, of course, is the trade with the Raptors, which took place two days before the new year. The 14-2 record matches OG Anunoby’s first game, Jan. 1, when he was named All-Defense in 2023, but he has missed the past two games with an elbow. inflammation.
But that’s not the only reason why the Knicks ranked first in the league in fielding percentage (104.8), net rating (15.7), opponent field goal percentage (43.9 percent), and points allowed (100.1 average) over the past 16 games. I’m sure not. game).
“I think our guys are playing hard,” Thibodeau said after the Knicks extended their winning streak to eight games against the Jazz on Tuesday night. “They’re defending, they’re rebounding. They’re sharing the ball. They’re playing smart, they’re playing tough. I think it goes a long way. They bring out the best in each other, but… We still have a long way to go.”
The Knicks were 17-15 and giving up 113.9 points per game through Dec. 30, but their recent winning streak (nine times they held opponents to 100 points or less) shows a dramatic improvement. .
This string lowered their scoring average to 109.3 points for the season, second only to the Timberwolves (107.4 points) and well above the league average of 115.6 points.
In January, only the Knicks, Cavaliers (103.8 points) and T-Wolves (107.6 points) allowed fewer than 110 points per game.
The Knicks’ best defense in the league is perhaps the biggest reason for their meteoric rise to third place in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference heading into Thursday’s home game against the Pacers.
But that’s not all.
rebound
Even without starting center Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks led the league in rebounding with 48.1 boards per game in January, ranking second behind the Hawks offensively.
Despite enduring Achilles pain, Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 12.1 rebounds in January, tied for fifth in the league.
Josh Hart has also increased his numbers in this department, averaging 8.3 rebounds per appearance since entering 2024, up from 5.9 rebounds in his first 32 games, including his first career rebound on Tuesday night. Also includes a triple double.
Advantages of gardens
The Knicks will look to continue their recent home cooking in their next four games at MSG.
They went 9-1 at home in January and are 17-5 overall in Manhattan this season.
Thibodeau often calls the Garden faithful the best in the league, as evidenced by Knicks fans completely taking over Brooklyn and Charlotte’s road arenas in last week’s road wins.
become deeper
Thibodeau cut his rotation from nine to eight this week due to injuries, but Hart and Precious Achiuwa started in place of Anunoby and Julius Randle (shoulder) and combined for 45 points and 32 rebounds.
Deuce McBride has also shot 47.6 percent from 3-point range since entering the rotation in place of traded backup guard Immanuel Quickley.
shooting star
The all-Villanova starting backcourt of Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, who are expected to be named to the All-Star team Thursday, regularly lights up opposing guards.
Brunson had nine games in January in which he scored at least 30 points, averaging 28.9 points, and finished the month with a league-high +256 points, just ahead of Anunoby (+252 points).
DiVincenzo started every game and scored in double figures in all but one game, including a career-high 9-of-33 on 3-pointers on Tuesday against the Jazz. reached.
defeat the elite
The Knicks have dominated teams with a losing record all season, but in January they rose through the ranks to pick up some signature wins over the Timberwolves, 76ers, and two 2023 NBA finalists, the Nuggets and Heat. I got it.
The Knicks thrashed these four contenders by an average margin of 24 points and held them to an average of 97.8 points, another great statistic that highlights the defense’s recent improvement.
