2. Offensive Rebounding
The New York Knicks have experienced trouble with crashing the defensive boards in 2016-17. One area in which the Knicks have consistently excelled, however, is in creating second chances by pulling down offensive rebounds.
Against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks have an opportunity to control the pace of the game by dominating through offensive rebounding.
New York is No. 4 in the NBA with an average of 12.0 offensive rebounds per game. Indiana checks in at just 8.8 offensive rebounds per game, but that doesn’t excuse the Knicks from needing to box out and limit second chances.
The Knicks are allowing averages of 12.0 offensive rebounds and 15.0 second chance points per game—unforgivable numbers.
The good news for New York is that it’s also pulling down 12.0 offensive rebounds per game—No. 4 in the NBA—and scoring 15.5 second chance points per game—also No. 4. Against the Pacers, the Knicks should be able to thrive in that capacity.
Indiana is allowing the fifth-most offensive rebounds per game, which means New York should be able to exploit this advantage.