Facing a desperate situation after losing the first two games at home, the Knicks may consider lineup changes when the Eastern Conference Finals resume Sunday night, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required). Karl-Anthony Towns played just 28 minutes in Game 2 as the Pacers exposed his defensive deficiencies and backup center Mitchell Robinson delivered a strong performance. Bondy notes that Towns is too valuable to stay on the bench, so coach Tom Thibodeau will have to find a better option.
Bondy proposes two potential alterations to the starting lineup, one of which would replace Josh Hart with Robinson. That provides a twin towers approach just like Minnesota used when it made the conference finals last season with Towns alongside Rudy Gobert. New York would have its best rim protector and pick-and-roll defender on the court at the start of the game, and it provides a better opportunity to take Robinson out late in quarters before Indiana can start fouling him on purpose.
Bondy’s other suggestion is to replace Hart with Miles McBride, who has the team’s best net rating in the series at plus-20.6. Although it creates a small backcourt, McBride is an accomplished defender who can provide help when the Pacers attack Jalen Brunson.
There’s more on the Knicks:
- The team is taking solace in its strong road record as the series shifts to Indiana, according to Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. New York is 5-1 on the road in the playoffs, with three wins at Detroit and two at Boston, and was 24-17 during the regular season away from Madison Square Garden. “The whole year we played well on the road,” Hart said after Game 2. “We’ve played well on the road in the playoffs. That’s a tough place to play. Their crowd comes and shows love and support. But we’re a good road team. That always gives us confidence.”
- Knicks players understand that the 0-2 deficit gives them a chance to do something historic, adds Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Only five NBA teams have ever advanced after losing the first two games of a series at home, and no one has done it in the conference finals.
- Mikal Bridges believes better communication might solve the problems the starting five has been experiencing, per Steve Popper of Newsday. “I think we just have to talk to each other off the jump,” he said. “I think maybe we just play a little too soft in the beginning.”
I still can’t believe the Knicks would go down and have PJ Tucker not get off the bench when he’s a well known defensive stopper. How have they not tried hum on Hali or Nesmith?
Either one would blow right past the old man.
Tucker is 40 years old. He hasn’t been able to stay in front of anybody for 4 years. He’s not on the Knicks roster to play minutes.
Towns needs to concentrate on his offense. Go for 34 and 15, we won’t care about his D.
Hart and Bridges should concentrate on Haliburton and Nesmith. Achiuwa is who should get more mins next to Towns. He helps his D and can handle Siakam. There is no reason why he can’t play 16-20 mins. Also keeps Hart and Towns fresher.
Thibs doesn’t trust his bench. Really a miracle they are in East Finals. After giving away gm 1. Knicks should of came with the fire TWolves showed last night. Thats the most depressing thing of all. You don’t show up to protect your home. After blowing gm. Just unacceptable.
Knicks play better away from home. Brunson is the only one who has the cojones to play at home. So the ofds say they aren’t coming back from 0-2. Well just win the next game ….. all about gm3…….
no matter what happens. I can’t see Towns on this team. One way stars don’t do well in MSG …. NYK
KAT is a massive road block to success…
Wolves needed a HOF defender at the 5 and KAT at the 4 to make it work…
But the Knicks will only go as far as Thibs will allow them… Until he figures out how to trust a bench, theres only a few bright spots and no titles…