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Knicks continue to struggle closing out games

By Connor MacKenzie

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 25, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 25, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The inability to close out games has haunted the New York Knicks this season.

The knock on the New York Knicks this season has been consistency, or lack thereof, finishing late in games. They have now lost 10 games decided by three possessions or less. There have been dazzling performances by the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr, rookie Kevin Knox, and a resurgent Trey Burke, but consistency overall on both sides of the ball are the root of the Knicks’ misery late in games. Additionally, a newcomer to this squad has shed some light on the shooting woes and seems to have filled his position firmly: Emmanuel Mudiay.

Mudiay has become a solid, second scoring and facilitating option, averaging 28.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds over the past six games. This revitalizing performance has refreshed the backcourt and provided a steady option at point guard.

Like the others on the roster, Mudiay must buy-in defensively. Not every team has a Patrick Beverley or Jrue Holiday that is a defensive stopper, but five guys not locked into their positions and rotations on the defensive side of the ball, will only make things tougher for a lacking roster without their cornerstone player.

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No team in the NBA is immune to the injury bug, but when it plagues your superstar player in Kristaps Porzingis with an ACL injury, the team is due for a setback. Hardaway Jr. and company have stepped up in the scoring department, but have troubles with simply doing too much. There are instances where players try to be flashy and make a tight pocket pass through three defenders, but gets deflected and going the other way for a layup or an uncontested long distance shot.

Knox and Allonzo Trier have also filled their respective roles of scoring, snagging loose rebounds, and communicating, but all five guys have to buy into the team mentality first. Whether it’s trapping the pick and roll, denying all passing lanes, hard hedging the ball handler, the weak side help defenders must possess a sense of urgency and not fall asleep on their assignments.

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If New York manages some of this, they can find success late in games. For now, though, it’s a reason why they sit near the bottom of the NBA standings.

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