It'll be a Mothers Day to remember for New York Knicks fans. In the biggest game of the Knicks season, they went to the Staples Center and defeated the title contending Los Angeles Clippers. Tonight they will try to run a sweep of the L.A. teams by beating the Lakers. Here are the Keys to the Game!
BUILD OFF OF A BIG WIN
The Knicks defeated one of the best teams in the league on Sunday and Julius Randle didn't event play well, at least offensively. It was the best win of the season for the Knicks. They proved to the the NBA world that they could defeat a top team, with all of or both of their stars playing. Now, the Knicks must bring that same confidence and energy back to Staples to face the Lakers. This team (the Knicks) are a confident group. No worries about a let down here.
GET OFF TO A STRONG START
The Knicks have started each game on this road trip in a deficit, except for the Houston Rockets, and even they scored the first three points of the game. They've been able to turn it around in four of the five games. Although they lost to the Phoenix Suns, they were able to turn it around in the first quarter after a double-digit deficit. No team can continue to battle back each game. It takes up too much energy and the Knicks don't have energy to give.
HIT THE GLASS | GUARDS MUST HELP REBOUND
With Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond on the boards. The Lakers can be a rebounding beast. The Knicks will need to utilize team rebounding to compete. Guys like Elfrid Payton, RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock and Derrick Rose will need to help on the boards. All of them have had strong rebounding games this season.
PLAY THROUGH A TOUGH DEFENSE
The Lakers have the ability to play a tough, physical style of defense. The Knicks have struggled with those types of defenses. I want to see the Knicks get to their spots
through a physical defense, make their cuts, and not let a physical defense overwhelm them. The Lakers are playing some desperate basketball, they will be gritty.
KEEP THE BALL MOVING | LOW TURNOVERS
To follow up with playing through a tough defense is to keep the ball moving and take care of the ball. The Knicks can't afford to fall into one on one style of play. They make defenses better when they play isolation. Move the ball and make it pop.
Given the Lakers defense can be physical, we must be careful to take care of the basketball. With Anthony Davis, the Lakers will score easy enough, the Knicks don't need to make it any easier for them.
Julius Randle
One last thing. Knicks need Julius Randle to play at a high level. Randle has been up and down against top competition and defenses. Playoff contenders have been loading up on him. I'd like to see Randle get a triple-double tonight, 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Peace - @nothinbutknicks on all platforms
Great Keys. Yes, I need to see Randle play well against tough teams. Keep them off the offensive glass also. Should be a good one, 3-3 at worst. Would love 4-2.