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Knicks Offense Reaching Historic Heights

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The New York Knicks have emerged from a rough nine-game stretch where they dropped six contests in concerning fashion. Blowout losses to the Thunder and Timberwolves sparked worries all around the organization, even causing some rumored locker room drama. These struggles came after a nine-game winning streak that was largely dismissed due to easy opponents. However, they’re now on a five-game heater that has featured some tough squads, including the West’s third and fourth seeds in Memphis and Denver. New York has been dominant throughout their recent winning, posting historic offensive outputs while cranking up the defensive intensity.

Knicks Offense Reaching Historic Heights

After last night’s victory over Nikola Jokic‘s Nuggets, New York had scored the most points in a three-game span in franchise history. They scored 143 in back-to-back outings vs. Sacramento and Memphis, good for 23 and 37-point wins. Denver proved to be a tougher out, keeping the game close throughout the second half. In the end, NY went on a 12-6 run to send the Nuggets packing. All three of these teams had been playing solid ball recently, which made the convincing wins even more impressive.

Defense is Leading to Offense 

New York is Winning the Transition Battle

Over their last three triumphs, Tom Thibodeau’s group is outscoring the opponent 77-40 on fastbreaks. It all comes down to the team playing with increased energy on the defensive end. Getting stops allows New York to run instead of facing a set defense, as they have all year. Although the half-court offense is incredible, it was difficult to outscore their own mediocre defense. Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby are all locked in, forcing turnovers and pushing the ball down the floor. Jalen Brunson is the perfect captain to run the break, and Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best outlet passers in basketball. The Knicks overwhelming talent truly shows up most when they’re playing unselfishly in transition.

Too Much Talent

When you combine a high-volume, efficient transition offense with an elite half-court offense that has five capable ballhandlers, playmakers, and shooters, you’re going to put up historic numbers. Add in arguably the NBA’s best pick-and-roll duo, and New York is creating advantages almost every time down the floor. On any given night, any of the five starters can score 20-plus, a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Heck, New York has four players who have scored 40 points this season, in Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, and Bridges.

Brunson’s 30-point, 15-assist night perfectly demonstrates the egalitarian nature of this team’s scoring attack. He had 30 through three quarters on 10-15 shooting, and took just one shot in the fourth quarter as he racked up seven assists in the final frame. Brunson closed the deal with his playmaking, with much of it coming in transition. Brunson is indisputably a top-five offensive engine, and the talent around him is too good for New York to not score in bunches.

Knicks Offense is Championship Worthy

If anything, this latest winning streak showcases what New York’s ultimate ceiling is. If they can just play competent defense, force turnovers, and run in transition, their offensive skill can take over any series. The Knicks five-man lineup is arguably the best group on offense in the NBA, clearly good enough to bring home a title. The fate of their season lies in the hands of the defense. If they lock in and maximize their large amount of defensive talent, this team can compete with anyone.

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