New York Knicks: What We Learned From Five-Game Road Trip

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Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) reaches for the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) defends in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Petty Fouls Hurt Long-Term

New York Knicks legend Walt Frazier called the Knickerbockers out during the broadcast of the loss to the Denver Nuggets. He cited laziness on defense as the reason New York is consistently in foul trouble.

That issue presents itself most often when the Knicks foul a player to prevent a transition bucket instead of getting back on defense.

Three of New York’s five opponents on this five-game road trip attempted at least 31 free throws. It was a microcosm for what’s been an issue throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season for the Knicks.

The petty fouls New York commits put them in the bonus far too often, which makes non-shooting fouls even more costly.

The Knicks are allowing the fourth-most free throw attempts per game at 26.6. Opponents are making 20.4 free throws per game against New York, which accounts for 18.9 percent of the total points it allows per game.

Considering New York is No. 26 in the NBA in free throw attempts per game itself, this is a battle that it’s continuously losing.

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