New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 27

The X-Factor: The Fourth Quarter

The New York Knicks began the 2017-18 regular season as one of the best fourth quarter teams in the NBA. Since Tim Hardaway Jr. went down with a lower leg injury, however, the Knicks have become unpredictable in a way that no team wants to be.

Kristaps Porzingis is still one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the NBA, and Frank Ntilikina is finding his clutch gene, but the Knicks have missed Hardaway’s presence.

One could argue that Hardaway’s absence was no more significant than during the Knicks’ most recent encounter with the Bulls. During the 104-102 loss on Dec. 9, the Knicks entered the fourth quarter with a two-point lead, only to fall apart on defense.

New York scored 32 fourth quarter points, but after holding Chicago to 68 points through three periods, it allowed 36 over the course of the final 12 minutes.

The loss was based entirely on the team’s defensive inconsistency. It went on 10-0 run to tie the game at 102-102 with less than 10 seconds on the clock, but that run wouldn’t have been necessary had it not allowed Chicago to score 34 points in the first 10 minutes of the fourth quarter alone.

Whether the Knicks are leading or trailing the rematch on Dec. 27, they must lock in on the defensive end of the floor in the fourth quarter—for a full 12 minutes.

Must Read: Tim Hardaway Jr. is sorely missed

The New York Knicks have a chance to improve to 18-16 overall and 3-10 on the road. Nothing will matter more than defending at a high level in the fourth quarter.