4. Justin Holiday vs. C.J. Miles
The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have a pair of dynamic reserves who can change the game. New York has been able to rely upon Justin Holiday for 3-and-D contributions, while Indiana’s C.J. Miles is a borderline elite 3-point shooter.
Given the fact that they’re likely to be matched up against one another, it will be vital for Holiday to win his battle with Miles.
Miles enters this outing with averages of 11.3 points and 2.1 3-point field goals made on 42.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He’s doing so in just 22.3 minutes per game, which means his numbers translate to 18.3 points and 3.4 3-point field goals per 36 minutes.
Based on the numbers alone, it’s quite clear that Miles is the type of player who can expose a Knicks defense that’s struggled to defend the 3-point line.
Fortunately, Holiday has been one of the Knicks’ most reliable players during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. His numbers may not jump off the page, but he works on the defensive end, crashes the boards, spaces the floor, and facilitates.
Holiday has begun to earn his stripes in a Knicks uniform in 2016-17, but this showing against Miles and the Pacers could be his most important performance.