New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The Denver Nuggets

1. Control The Pace

As previously alluded to, the Denver Nuggets have one of the most explosive offensive units in the NBA. Michael Malone is a mastermind in terms of offensive execution and Denver has produced elite numbers without an elite player.

If the New York Knicks aren’t active and aggressive in limiting transition scoring opportunities, the Nuggets will run away with this game—quite literally.

The altitude in Denver is tough to prepare for, which is a reason why the Nuggets’ transition offense has long been effective. The fact that the Knicks are heading to Denver after playing four consecutive road games certainly doesn’t bode well for their chances.

Thus, if the Knicks are going to win this game, then they must be able to control the pace and limit transition scoring opportunities.

It’s an impossible enough task to run up and down the floor in an atmosphere like Denver. To do so after playing five road games since December 6 would be an even more grueling task for the Knicks—one that Jeff Hornacek can’t realistically expect his players to cope with.

The best chance New York has to control the pace and win on the road will be to crash the defensive boards, limit turnovers, and get back on defense after offensive possessions.

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With Denver averaging 101.0 possessions per game—Top 10 in the NBA—that will be no easy task.