Knicks Preview: 5 Keys to Defeating the Houston Rockets

Nov 17, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and guard

(2) react against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Hornets 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

5. Space the Floor

Properly executing the Triangle Offense entails attempting a high number of mid-range jump shots. The low-post attack is the most vaunted aspect of the strategic approach, but thriving from mid-range is key.

Against the Houston Rockets, New York found success from a deeper area: 3-point range.

The Knicks converted 12 of an attempted 25 3-point field goals. That, as basic math will show, accounted for 36 of the 107 points New York managed to score.

In a five-point win, every 3-point field goal mattered.

Despite that success, New York shouldn’t be expected to do it again. It has the personnel to catch fire from 3-point range—Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway and Kristaps Porzingis are all lights-out shooters—but it lacks the consistency in attempting said shots.

Despite possessing five legitimate 3-point shooters, it ranks No. 21 in 3-point field goals attempted per game. Because, of course.

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