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I think we can all agree that the Knicks were completely outpaced by a more balanced Pacers team in their 102-95 loss on Sunday. J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony were forced to take bad shots, combining for 14-for-43 from the field, and Tyson Chandler was virtually non-existent on both ends of the court. This needs to change if the Knicks hope to have any chance in Game 2.
Mike Woodson agrees.
"They've got to try and take better shots sometimes," Woodson said after Monday's practice. "Sometimes, some of those difficult shots that you’re accustomed to making that you’re not making, you got to figure out a way to get better shots”(Source: ESPN).
In order for Melo and Smith to take better shots, Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni and Jason Kidd need to do a better job of breaking down the Pacers’ defense. I know, I know, easier said than done. But the Knicks jumped out to a comfortable lead in the first-quarter mainly because Felton wasn't stationary with the ball. He was taking the ball to the paint, collapsing the Pacers’ defense, then dishing it back out to the open man. That kind of dribble penetration will give fits to any defense, and will give Melo, Smith and even Chandler better looks at the basket.
Part of the Knicks success against the Celtics in the first-round, specifically in the first three games, was their switching on the defensive end. This also was nowhere to be found in Game 1, where D.J. Augustin was able to score 16 points—going 4-for-5 from behind the 3-point line. This coming from a guy who averaged 4.7 points per game during the regular season, and who shot a dismal 29% from behind the arc in the first-round against the Hawks.
The Knicks can live with Paul George scoring 20 points. But Augustin putting up 16 on 5-for-6 shooting? Not so much.
Making sure to switch on pick and rolls is going to be the key on the defensive end for the Knicks. That coupled with Smith and Melo improving their shot selection will determine if the Knicks go to Indiana tied 1-1 or down 0-2.