Knicks look to win next 4 games, close out first half

Knicks vs. Warriors

The strategy used by some teams against Golden State is to allow Draymond Green to fire away from three and double Steph Curry off Draymond’s screens. New York lucked out last time they played Golden State when Draymond received an undeserved second technical foul. He was key to holding down Julius Randle.

Randle had better wear his game face and not defer to Draymond Green’s defense. Randle should loosen up Green’s tough D by taking more threes and pull up Js.

In 37 minutes, RJ Barrett took the Knicks scoring honors with 28 points. Barrett hit a couple of threes and had five assists. He need not duplicate these numbers for the Knicks to win. Barrett just needs to play heads-up ball on both ends of the floor and avoid having ‘Spalding’ tattooed to his forehead. Although his scoring is down recently, his overall game has improved, except when he plays ‘hero ball’.

Mitchell Robinson will really be missed on screens set for Curry because Noel tends to fall back, rather than step out on these plays, giving Steph an open look. As dogged as Payton’s defensive effort was against Steph Curry, he still managed 30 pts on 33 shots. Steph was also 7 of 8 from the line. Payton continues to be a top defender and the Knick most able to get to the hole. Payton would be even better in a more structured offense that featured movement and passing.

A word about Reggie Bullock’s value is in order. Along with Elfrid Payton and Mitchell Robinson, Bullock is a key to the Knicks’ success on D. Not only are they very good on-ball defenders, but their rotations and anticipations are excellent. With Robinson in foul trouble, Steph Curry began to shake free of Payton and hit some long threes. Andrew Wiggins became more effective when Reggie was replaced by Alec Burks.

Since Bullock and Burks scoring opportunities are very limited by Randle, Payton, and Barrett’s shot volume, it would seem that using Frank Ntilikina as Bullock’s sub would help maintain the key to the Knicks’ success, their defensive integrity. Sub Burks in for Barrett, and cut Immanuel Quickley’s or Derrick Rose’s minutes.

The Knicks will only defeat solid defensive teams with better ball movement, no matter how many one-on-one iso players they put on the floor. Right now, it is the defense, not the offense that is winning games.

The Knicks may get even luckier this time around because Steph Curry, James Wiseman, and Kevon Looney are all listed as questionable. This is an even contest with the Knicks getting the nod as the home team.