2. Defense
With no hyperbole whatsoever, the New York Knicks are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. New York may be 5-0 when it holds opponents below 100 points, but it’s damning that it’s only held five teams below 100 points through 30 outings.
The good news for the Knicks is that one of the five teams they held below 100 points was the Atlanta Hawks.
The Knicks are currently No. 25 in the NBA in both points allowed per game and points allowed per 100 possessions. That’s rather surprising when one considers that New York is a respectable No. 15 in opponent field goal percentage and No. 10 in opponent 3-point field goal percentage.
The Knicks should be one of the Top 15 defensive teams in the NBA, but there are two issues holding them back: rebounding and fouling.
As will be discussed, the Knicks are struggling to limit the opposition to one shot per possession. New York is also allowing the fourth-most free throw attempts per game, which are two easy ways to be dreadful defensively.
Atlanta doesn’t excel in getting to the free throw line, but closing out on shooters, avoiding petty fouls, and crashing the defensive glass will be keys for the Knicks.