Game 2 Showdown: Can the Knicks Overcome Their Starters’ Struggles Against the Pacers?

The New York Knicks are making headlines, reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. They’ve won 51 games this season, the highest since 2011-12, and have had back-to-back 50-plus win seasons for the first time in over 25 years. Point guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns were recently named to the All-NBA team, marking a significant achievement for the franchise.

The Knicks have relied heavily on their starting lineup of Brunson, Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart. They’ve logged more minutes than any other NBA lineup during both the regular season and the playoffs. However, there may be a problem. In recent games, this starting group has struggled, being outscored significantly.

As Towns noted, "We’re putting ourselves in a deficit." This season, their starters were outscored by 9 points over 379 minutes from January to the regular season’s end, and by 24 points in a six-game series against the Celtics. In Game 1 of the Eastern finals, they were outscored by 16 points in just 26 minutes.

The Knicks lost Game 2 to the Indiana Pacers, and their starters were outperformed again. After the game, head coach Tom Thibodeau faced questions about potential changes to the lineup. While he typically sticks to his starting five, the numbers suggest it might be time to reconsider his approach.

Statistically, it’s clear the current lineup isn’t yielding the desired results. For instance, in critical moments, the Knicks struggled to maintain leads and often found themselves in tough positions. The Pacers exposed mismatches by targeting Towns with pick-and-roll plays, leading to open shots and forcing defensive collapses.

Despite these challenges, Brunson and Bridges displayed resilience late in games, almost turning losses into victories. They combined for crucial points that brought the Knicks back within striking distance. However, the team’s slow starts and inability to score early have become a recurring theme.

Bridges commented on the need for improvement, suggesting they might need to be more physical at the start of games and communicate better as a group. Thibodeau echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of making "winning plays" throughout the game.

Historically, teams facing a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series have lost 92% of the time. Towns remains hopeful, noting that quick changes can happen, but the team must find their rhythm.

With the Knicks heading into Game 3, adjustments are necessary. It’s now up to Thibodeau to decide if he’ll stick with his trusted starters or make changes that could ignite a turnaround. As fans closely watch for any shifts in strategy, the Knicks need to show they’re ready to break the mold and make history instead of repeating it.

For more on the Knicks’ playoff strategies and analysis, check out ESPN’s coverage.

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