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New York Knicks: Keys to victory against Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 20

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 8: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the game on February 8, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 8: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the game on February 8, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 7: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on November 7, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 7: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on November 7, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Defending The Three-Point Line

Whether the opposition is an elite three-point shooting team or one that generally struggles from beyond the arc, the New York Knicks have had trouble defending the outside shot. That’s proven true throughout the 2017-18 NBA regular season, and it could continue against the Los Angeles Clippers.

If the Knicks are going to defeat the Clippers, they must stop the bleeding and run the opposition off the three-point line.

No team is allowing opponents to convert more three-point field goals than the Knicks. New York is currently letting up a league-worst average of 12.7 three-point field goals made per game, which translates to upwards of 38 points per contest.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek admittedly has an offensive-minded group that he’s convincing to buy in on defense, but the Knicks can’t continue defending the three-ball this poorly.

Los Angeles isn’t elite from beyond the arc, but it converts at a solid clip of 10.5 three-point field goals made per game. That ranks a respectable No. 16 in the NBA, and has provided invaluable balance to the interior attack.

The Knicks may not be playing the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets, but the Clippers will light them up from distance if they play with the inadequate energy of past games.

Must Read: What is and isn't working through 15 games?

The question is: Will the New York Knicks do what’s necessary to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers and improve to 9-7?

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