New York Knicks: Keys to victory against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 15
The New York Knicks will host the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15. What must the Knicks do to improve to 8-6?
The New York Knicks are coming off of one of the most heartbreaking losses in recent franchise history. Despite holding a 23-point lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks ultimately lost 104-101 after allowing LeBron James and Kyle Korver to dominate the fourth quarter.
True as that may be, New York is also fresh off of a game during which it began to establish its identity—and now it has a chance to take the next step in that process.
New York will host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Nov. 15 in what could be the ultimate measuring stick of its progress. Utah will be playing without All-NBA center Rudy Gobert, but it remains one of the most well-coached and competitive teams in the Association.
Matched up against a team that values defense over all else, the Knicks will have a chance to show that the first three quarters of the Cleveland game were a sign of things to come.
Utah enters the encounter at 6-8, but it ranks No. 5 in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions. Missing Gobert could prove problematic, but the Knicks will have their hands full against a defensive juggernaut.
The question is: What must the New York Knicks do to defeat the Utah Jazz and take the next step towards establishing the new culture?