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New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 30

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks defends the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the game on November 15, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks defends the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the game on November 15, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Doug McDermott #20 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 12, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Doug McDermott #20 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 12, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Offense: Three-Point Shooting

Matched up against the New Orleans Pelicans, prioritizing post play may not be the wisest approach. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are superstar talents and high-quality rim protectors who deter even the best of slashers and post players from trying their luck.

The New York Knicks shouldn’t rely too heavily on the outside shot, but their best bet against the Pelicans will be to establish the three-ball early and often.

It’s worth noting that New Orleans ranks in the bottom third of the NBA in both points allowed in the paint and opponent field goal percentage at the rim. Thus, the Knicks should be able to generate efficient offense from in close.

If Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter are going to have a chance to anchor an effective interior attack, however, they must have space to operate.

The upside here is that the Pelicans currently rank dead last in the NBA in opponent three-point field goals made per game and No. 27 in opponent three-point field goal percentage. The downside is that the Knicks rank No. 30 in three-point field goals made per game.

If New York is going to secure this road win, it must be willing and able to exploit the Pelicans’ primary weakness and convert from beyond the arc.

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