3. Pound It Inside
The Houston Rockets gave up a significant measure of defense in order to build the current roster. The defense took an even bigger hit when it was announced that Patrick Beverley would miss time due to an injury.
With Beverley out, the always slashing Derrick Rose needs to continue to play with aggressiveness when attacking the rack.
Clint Capela has upside as a rim protector, but he’s surrounded by too many erratic defenders to establish himself this early in his career. That’s exactly why Rose and the New York Knicks should look to attack the rim whenever possible.
Getting Capela in foul trouble would essentially strip the Rockets of any and all resistance that it has at the rim.
Rose is joined by a number of capable players when it comes to creating penetration or simply taking it inside. Brandon Jennings can take his man off the bounce and both Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis should be going to the post more often.
The Knicks need to pound it inside against a team that struggles to do much of anything well on defense.