New York Knicks: Holiday wishlist for the 2017-18 NBA season
By Brad Wier
Stay Strong At Home
The New York Knicks currently are tied for the most home wins in all the NBA at 15-5. With no exaggeration, the Knicks are an elite team when playing at the Mecca.
The success might be because the NBA is making the opening schedule easier for the Knicks. We’re no conspiracy theorists, but it seems more likely that the MSG crowd creates an atmosphere that brings the best out of the team.
The Knicks have played a league-high 20 home games, and that schedule has undoubtedly helped contribute to their early success.
The Garden plays a huge role in the team’s success and gives them a chance against any team they play. They’ve already beaten strong opponents at home, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors.
Kristaps Porzingis has performed best at home, as well. He averages 25.6 points and 2.2 blocks per game, and shoots 40.2 percent from three at Madison Square Garden. On the road, those numbers drop to 22.6 points and 1.4 blocks per game on 35 percent shooting from three.
His most memorable games have also come at home. No one can forget the nationally-televised game against the Lakers, when Porzingis dropped 37 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and five three-point field goals made.
Porzingis brings his best in front of the New York fans, and the whole team plays at an elevated level when playing at home. The Knicks will need to continue their success at home in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.