CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Even after back-to-back video games through which his offense struggled in opposition to a full-switch protection — and in addition after a prolonged acknowledgment from Josh Hart that the Knicks aren’t dealing with that defensive technique properly — Tom Thibodeau pushed again the concept that it is a concern.
“The numbers inform you how good our offense is. Factors per possession, we’re No. 1 within the league,” Thibodeau mentioned, including that low manufacturing in Friday’s 99-98 win over the Hornets was additionally the product of “fatigue”.
“This alteration is nothing new. Each workforce we confronted modified. Most groups change from 1 to 4. If in case you have the scale at the moment, you go from 1 to 4. Some groups will change from 1 to five. … So we have seen all of it yr. This is the reason I say that the entire work says what you might be. Numbers say what you might be.
Two days earlier, Hart mentioned the change prompted crises for the Knicks and slowed down the offense, citing losses to the Celtics, Rockets and Mavericks. These opponents had been switching 1-5, succeeding whereas leaving a smaller defender on Karl-Anthony Cities.
The Hornets did the identical on Friday, and the Knicks managed simply 15 factors within the first quarter – two days after placing up 15 factors within the first quarter in Dallas.
The 99 level whole was the second lowest of the season after the 97 the Knicks had within the Houston loss.
Mikal Bridges ended a streak of seven straight video games and not using a free throw, drawing a foul halfway by way of the third quarter earlier than hitting 1 of two on the rating.
Bridges’ lack of foul photographs turned an emblem of his struggles and anti-aggression. He averages lower than one free throw try per sport.
“I’m simply looking for methods inside our offense to get to the road,” he mentioned.
Thibodeau added: “I simply need him to play his sport. Take your photographs.” Mikal will not be a specialist. He’s a flexible participant.
Russell Westbrook flipped the chook in opposition to the Knicks this week and was fined $35,000 on Friday, the NBA introduced.
Westbrook, a backup guard for the Nuggets, made an “obscene gesture” within the fourth quarter of Denver’s blowout loss Monday, in accordance with the league. He appeared to level the center finger on the Knicks bench after burying a 3-point basket with about six minutes left and the Nuggets trailing by 23.
