New York Knicks: Five Keys To Defeating Indiana Pacers
3. Transition Defense
The New York Knicks have spent the past four games playing road games against teams that prefer to push the pace. During those matchups with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets, transition defense has been an issue.
If the Knicks continue to struggle to defend in the open court, the Indiana Pacers will run up the score and make this an ugly game.
Over the past four games, the Knicks have allowed 112, 113, 103, and 127 points—the formula for failure. Unfortunately, New York’s transition defense has been an issue for the better part of the 2016-17 NBA regular season.
New York is allowing 14.5 fast break points per game—seventh-most in the NBA—and 18.2 transition points per game—fifth-most in the NBA.
The Pacers haven’t played especially well in 2016-17, but they’re more than explosive enough to dominate in transition. Paul George and Jeff Teague are a two-man fast break unto themselves, and that could be enough given New York’s porous defense.
Transition defense has been an issue throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season. That issue must be fixed before the Indiana game.