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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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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 19: E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 19, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 19: E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 19, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Opposing Player To Watch: E’Twaun Moore

The New York Knicks are going to need to find a way to contain DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. Whether or not the Knicks contain Cousins and Davis, they must find ways to hold the supporting cast in check.

While Jrue Holiday may be the obvious player whom the Knicks must contain, it’s E’Twaun Moore who’s the biggest threat to break this game open.

Moore, 28, is currently in the midst of a career-year with the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .539/.474/.522.

Moore has scored at least 20 points in four games during the month of December alone, and has emerged as a lights-out three-point shooter for head coach Alvin Gentry.

If the Knicks manage to contain Moore, they should limit the overall level of efficiency of the supporting cast. New Orleans is 9-6 when he scores at least 15 points and 9-11 when he fails to—as telling a statistic as any.

The Knicks will spend most of the game attempting to contain Cousins and Davis, but if they allow Moore to get going on offense, the Pelicans will border on being impossible to stop.

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