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The grit displayed by the Knicks in these playoffs has been astounding, to say the least. They erased a 20-point deficit in Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons, then staged two more stunning comebacks in Games 1 and 2 against the defending champion Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
Entering Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were targeting stronger starts as the series progresses, aiming to avoid more late-game heroics, despite their thrilling appeal.
Their sights are set on controlling the game from the opening tip.
“Take it game-by-game,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You know, we understand the things we have to do better and so focus on that.”
For the Knicks, part of seizing early control hinges on sparking Jalen Brunson from the opening tip. While the All-Star guard has averaged 23 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists through two playoff matchups against the Celtics, his efficiency has faltered, with a mere 32.6% field goal percentage.
Brunson, one of the best scorers in the league, had 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting through three quarters in Game 1, and had just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting through three quarters in Game 2.
“I don’t think there’s any player in this league that’s going to shoot great every game,” Thibodeau said. “You know, there’s ups and downs to it. Sometimes it’s the defense. Sometimes you miss a shot, and it goes in and out and that’s part of the game. So, and then [you have] to have the mental toughness to get through that. And so next one, mentally, if you have the belief that the next one’s in, we’ll continue to shoot.”
Yet the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year has shone brightest in crunch time, as he has throughout the Knicks’ playoff surge.
In Game 1, Brunson erupted for 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting in the fourth quarter, drilling a 23-footer to knot the score at 89, a 26-footer to put the Knicks up 94-91 lead, and a 25-footer to seal the victory. He scored nine points in the final six minutes of Game 2.
The Knicks just need him to conjure his scoring magic sooner, somehow, against an elite defensive team.
“You guys have seen it before,” Thibodeau said of Brunson. “He’s at his best when his best is needed. So, he’s going to shoot his shots.
“He prepares himself well for all these moments. His confidence comes from his preparation. So, he’s put in a lot of work. There’s going to be stretches where he doesn’t miss any shots.”
Continue reading...
Entering Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were targeting stronger starts as the series progresses, aiming to avoid more late-game heroics, despite their thrilling appeal.
Their sights are set on controlling the game from the opening tip.
“Take it game-by-game,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You know, we understand the things we have to do better and so focus on that.”
For the Knicks, part of seizing early control hinges on sparking Jalen Brunson from the opening tip. While the All-Star guard has averaged 23 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists through two playoff matchups against the Celtics, his efficiency has faltered, with a mere 32.6% field goal percentage.
Brunson, one of the best scorers in the league, had 17 points on 6-for-19 shooting through three quarters in Game 1, and had just eight points on 3-for-15 shooting through three quarters in Game 2.
“I don’t think there’s any player in this league that’s going to shoot great every game,” Thibodeau said. “You know, there’s ups and downs to it. Sometimes it’s the defense. Sometimes you miss a shot, and it goes in and out and that’s part of the game. So, and then [you have] to have the mental toughness to get through that. And so next one, mentally, if you have the belief that the next one’s in, we’ll continue to shoot.”
Yet the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year has shone brightest in crunch time, as he has throughout the Knicks’ playoff surge.
In Game 1, Brunson erupted for 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting in the fourth quarter, drilling a 23-footer to knot the score at 89, a 26-footer to put the Knicks up 94-91 lead, and a 25-footer to seal the victory. He scored nine points in the final six minutes of Game 2.
The Knicks just need him to conjure his scoring magic sooner, somehow, against an elite defensive team.
“You guys have seen it before,” Thibodeau said of Brunson. “He’s at his best when his best is needed. So, he’s going to shoot his shots.
“He prepares himself well for all these moments. His confidence comes from his preparation. So, he’s put in a lot of work. There’s going to be stretches where he doesn’t miss any shots.”
Continue reading...
