New York Knicks Preview: Five Keys To Defeating The Portland Trail Blazers

Dec 12, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots on a technical during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

4. Stay Out Of Foul Trouble

The New York Knicks expect to play without Joakim Noah and Lance Thomas on Tuesday. Noah is battling an illness and Thomas is battling an ankle injury, which means two of its most important frontcourt players will be absent.

Now more than ever, the Knicks can’t afford to fall a man down due to the foul trouble that’s been plaguing them throughout 2016-17.

The Knicks are sending opponents to the free throw line for an average of 25.6 attempts per game. Only six teams are allowing more free throw attempts per game than the Knicks, which is a telling sign of what’s hurt the defense the most.

New York is giving up 19.8 points via free throws per game, which is a higher number than all but seven teams.

Portland is known for its ability to space the floor, but it has a number of gifted slashers who can draw contact and get to the line. Portland is No. 13 in the NBA in free throw attempts per game and Damian Lillard is averaging 8.7 per game by himself—No. 8 in the NBA.

With Noah out and the Knicks down to their backup centers, New York must avoid foul trouble and defend with both physicality and responsibility.