New York Knicks: Five Keys To Defeating Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Interior Defense

The New York Knicks boasted one of the most dominant interior defenses in the NBA in 2015-16. The Knicks were No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim—a number that’s both accurate and misleading.

It’s accurate in the sense that Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez dominated the defensive interior, but misleading considering how poorly the Knicks defended slashers.

Porzingis and Joakim Noah project to do what they’ve established themselves as capable of doing: patrol and control the interior. The perimeter players will need to step up, however, as the Cavaliers have two of the premier slashers in the NBA.

There’s no stopping LeBron James or Kyrie Irving, but the Knicks’ perimeter players can team with the interior forces to at least slow them down.

Irving’s ability to create penetration in the half court could call for Hornacek to assign Courtney Lee to the 2016 NBA Finals hero. James’ power could be somewhat neutralized by Anthony, but his speed remains a unique force of nature.

The Knicks will need all hands on deck if they’re going to keep Irving, James, and the Cavaliers’ other gifted players out of the paint.