Knicks’ Starting Lineup Adjustment Could be Key to Series Success
The New York Knicks are currently leading their second-round series against the Boston Celtics 2-1, but the scoreboard does not tell the whole story. According to CBS Sports, the Celtics have outscored the Knicks by 18 points through three games, and have led for 128 minutes and 18 seconds out of 149 minutes of gameplay.
Despite being outplayed, the Knicks have managed to eke out two victories, largely due to shooting variance. However, as CBS Sports notes, "they still count" and the Knicks will look to build on these wins in Game 4. The Knicks’ starting lineup, which features Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns, has been a key part of their success, but also a liability.
In 68 minutes of playoff action, the Knicks’ starting five has been outscored by 29 points, a trend that is similar to what was seen in the regular season. As CBS Sports reports, "that’s almost exactly what happened in the regular season, when that unit also played three games against Boston and was outscored by 26 points in 65 minutes." This has led to calls for a change to the starting lineup, with Mitchell Robinson being a potential candidate to start.
Robinson has been one of the few bright spots for the Knicks in this series, with a positive point-differential of +29 in his minutes. According to CBS Sports, "the Knicks are +2 with Deuce McBride on the court… and +29 with Robinson out there." Starting Robinson over Hart could address some of the Knicks’ issues on offense, particularly in terms of spacing and rebounding.
The Knicks have struggled to score with their starting lineup, averaging just 90.4 points per 100 possessions in this series. As CBS Sports notes, "some of that is some poor shooting variance of their own, but a lot of it is the spacing limitations that come with relying on Hart against an elite defense." Robinson’s presence would allow the Knicks to control the paint and get more opportunities on the glass.
However, there are risks associated with making a change to the starting lineup, particularly against a team like the Celtics that excels at creating 3-point opportunities. As CBS Sports reports, "putting two big men on the floor against a team as good at creating 3s as Boston could very easily backfire." Ultimately, the decision to make a change to the starting lineup will depend on the Knicks’ coaching staff’s assessment of the team’s needs and the potential risks and rewards of making a change.
In conclusion, the Knicks’ starting lineup has been a liability in this series, and making a change could be key to their success. As CBS Sports notes, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." The Knicks would do well to consider making a change to their starting lineup, with Mitchell Robinson being a potential candidate to start.
