Deep problems with the Knicks' lineup is about to be tested when they face Payton Pritchard and the Celtics' reserve players.
The Knicks bench, which was a weak spot in the first round against the Pistons, now faces a monumental challenge against the best bench player in the league - Payton Pritchard. Known as the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, Pritchard leads the Celtics' formidable bench that provides little reprieve for the Knicks.
Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged Pritchard's exceptional season, with Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet also contributing significant minutes. The Celtics are known for their formidable shooting prowess, often having five 3-point shooters on the floor at any given time.
Pritchard averaged a career-high 14.3 points per game during the regular season, playing an average of 28.4 minutes a game. Although his minutes have decreased slightly in the postseason, he continues to impress, averaging 9.2 points on impressive 51.6% shooting from the field and 50.0% from deep.
On the other hand, Miles McBride has struggled, scoring just 3.8 points per game on atrocious 26.7% shooting from the field and 26.3% from 3-point range. McBride's defensive challenge lies in keeping up with Pritchard when the two guards find themselves on the court together.
Thibodeau acknowledged McBride's struggles, emphasizing that it's not just about one player, but rather how the bench functions as a unit. McBride has been vital to the Knicks throughout the regular season, but his inconsistent performances in the first round have raised concerns.
One bright spot for the Knicks bench has been Mitchell Robinson. His defensive prowess, especially on the glass, could be crucial against the Celtics, who often have two bigs who can shoot from deep - Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford - on the court at the same time.
However, Robinson struggled defensively against the Celtics during the regular season and may find it challenging to guard Porzingis or Horford outside the perimeter. Nonetheless, his ability to provide rim protection and switchability on pick-and-rolls is essential for the Knicks.
The matchup between McBride and Pritchard could prove to be a significant deciding factor in the series. While McBride's struggles have been evident, the Celtics' bench, led by Pritchard's prolific offensive performance, is poised to present a significant challenge for the Knicks.
- Coach Tom Thibodeau agreed that Payton Pritchard, known as the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, leads the formidable Celtics bench, causing a significant concern for the Knicks' bench, which was a weak spot against the Pistons in the first round.
- Despite Miles McBride's regular season contributions, his inconsistent performances in the first round have raised concerns, especially when compared to Pritchard's outstanding postseason performance, where he averages 9.2 points on impressive shooting stats.
- MITchell Robinson's defensive prowess, especially on the glass, could be crucial against the Celtics' big men like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, who can shoot from deep. However, Robinson may find it challenging to guard these players outside the perimeter, particularly Porzingis, whom he struggled with during the regular season.
- The matchup between McBride and Pritchard could be a significant deciding factor in the series. While McBride's struggles have been evident, the Celtics' bench, led by Pritchard's prolific offensive performance, is expected to present a significant challenge for the Knicks' basketball team in the NBA.
