4. The 3-Point Battle
Arguably the biggest issue for the New York Knicks during road games is a frustrating tendency to close out slowly on opposing shooters. Whether that’s a product of poor rotations, communication, or effort, the issue need to be rectified.
Against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks may live or die by how well they shoot and defend the 3-point shot.
The first time Atlanta and New York played, the Knicks won by 10 points overall and 12 points in the 3-point shooting battle. Jeff Hornacek’s crew shot 10-of-27 from beyond the arc and held Mike Budenholzer’s team to 6-of-21 shooting from distance.
The Knicks don’t need to dominate by such a vast margin this time around, but they must be equally as responsive to the need to defend the 3-point shot.
Atlanta is No. 29 in 3-point field goal percentage, but it has the personnel to exploit the Knicks’ defense. It’s also one of the worst teams at defending the 3-point shot, but that isn’t something to bank a game on.
The Knicks have an opportunity to win this battle again, but it won’t happen if they fail to play up to their potential.