New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The New Orleans Pelicans

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Dec 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) defends during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Clippers 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ball Movement

The New York Knicks moved the ball relatively well against the Atlanta Hawks, but they abandoned that approach late in the game. With Atlanta creating for one another and finding the open man, the Knicks resorted to isolation basketball.

The result was a 102-98 overtime loss, which could have been prevented with better ball movement and execution down the stretch.

Entering the New Orleans Pelicans game, the Knicks are 15-6 when they record at least 20 assists and 1-9 when they fail to. That’s a telling enough sign of how valuable ball movement is to New York’s offensive execution.

There are a number of gifted isolation scorers on the Knicks’ roster, but as is the case with every team, the offense is more efficient when the ball isn’t sticking.

New Orleans currently ranks No. 8 in the NBA with an average of 22.9 assists per game. The Pelicans average 54.1 points created via assists, which significantly lightens the burden for isolation and transition scorers.

New Orleans is going to move the ball well with its surplus of playmakers, which means New York will need to do the same.

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