New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The Milwaukee Bucks

2. Protect The Paint

The New York Knicks should be one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah have the ability to be tremendous rim protectors, and the likes of Justin Holiday and Courtney Lee are strong perimeter defenders.

Against the Milwaukee Bucks, nothing will be more important than the ability to protect the rim and prevent the opposition from scoring at the rim.

Milwaukee ranks No. 1 in the NBA with an average of 50.9 points in the paint per game. That alone is reason to be concerned about the possibility of the Bucks exploiting the Knicks’ defense and scoring at virtual will.

With Porzingis hobbled by an achilles injury, it stands to reason that the Knicks will have trouble keeping Milwaukee from doing what it does best.

Whether or not Porzingis plays, the Knicks will need the likes of Noah, Kyle O’Quinn, and Willy Hernangomez to step up. Milwaukee is as efficient as any team in the NBA at finishing at the rim and New York lacks the perimeter personnel to prevent them from getting into the paint.

This is the perfect opportunity for Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Lee, Holiday, Carmelo Anthony, and Lance Thomas to step up as perimeter defenders.