4. Avoid Foul Trouble
The New York Knicks have run into a consistent issue during the 2016-17 NBA regular season: foul trouble. It’s become less of an issue for Kristaps Porzingis than it was in the opening days and weeks of the season, but it remains problematic for the team.
If the Knicks are going to defeat the Indiana Pacers, then they’ll need to avoid the silly fouls that consistently send the opposition to the line.
New York is sending opponents to the free throw line an average of 26.6 times per game—the fourth-worst mark in the NBA. Indiana is only averaging 22.3 free throw attempts per game, but it certainly has the personnel to break through against New York.
Jeff Teague and Paul George can consistently create penetration, and Al Jefferson can draw consistent contact from the post.
If New York manages to avoid foul trouble, then it should be able to secure a necessary victory against Indiana. It won’t be the only key to winning the game, but it will play a significant role in making this an equal battle.
Whether it’s a shooting foul or an ill-advised reach that puts New York in the bonus, the unnecessary issues must cease to persist.