Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The New Orleans Pelicans

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Dec 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 102-98 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 102-98 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Defensive Rebounding

From a statistical perspective, the New York Knicks are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. New York ranks No. 3 in the NBA in both rebounds per game and offensive rebounds per game, and has a positive rebound differential.

Unfortunately, the Knicks are also the worst team in the Association at keeping the opposition off of the defensive glass.

New York is allowing a league-worst 12.1 offensive rebounds per game. The Knicks are also No. 29 in the NBA with 15.1 second chance points allowed per game, which creates the fear that they’ll allow extra possessions every time out.

Against a team with the offensive firepower that the New Orleans Pelicans possess, the Knicks must limit Anthony Davis and Co. to one shot per possession.

The encouraging news is that New Orleans ranks No. 29 in the Association with just 8.6 offensive rebounds per game. The discouraging news is that Davis is a force of nature who can take over games in any number of ways.

New York must box out and be wary of the possibility that the Pelicans will gut the defense by crashing the offensive glass.

Home/Knicks News