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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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks on December 28, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The X-Factor: The Turnover Battle

The New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans rank amongst the worst teams in the NBA at taking care of the ball. Both offenses have the potential to be run in a more crisp and efficient manner, but for the time being, turnovers are an issue.

The team that wins this game will likely be the team that prevents the opposition from generating easy and efficient offense off of turnovers.

New York enters Saturday ranked No. 26 in the NBA in points allowed off of turnovers per game. It’s gifted opponents 18.6 preventable points per game, which has inevitably placed the offense under an additional—and unnecessary—layer of pressure.

New Orleans is right behind New York with its ranking of No. 25 in opponent points off of turnovers per game at 18.5—a mere 0.1 point less.

The Knicks will have a chance to work the passing lanes and get out in transition against the Pelicans. Gambling for steals can be risky, but it’s games like this that require a methodical approach that can catch the opposition off guard.

The fewer possessions that require the Knicks to drive in on DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, the better off they’ll be.

Must Read: Tony Parker praises Frank Ntilikina

Winning will be a tall task, but the New York Knicks will have an opportunity to get back to .500 entering the new year.

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