1st half, Utah announcer Thurl Bailey was perplexed that Utah was missing open 3's, while acknowledging Knix were allowing the lowest
opponent 3-Pt %. I felt the same way early in the season, when teams such as ATl and IND were getting good looks but missing them v. NYK.
I came to the conclusion that the Knix are playing good physical D and preventing the other team from getting into a rhythm and flow.
By mucking up the offense and creating a choppy game, shooters weren't getting comfortable. Also, Knix go over every screen so the other team
doesn't get easy no-effort 3's. Also the closeouts by RJB and Bollocks have been good, without fouling and rarely getting blown by.
. With Burks and Rivers, the closeouts are not as rapid, with Burks tending at times to get caught up with Bigs in the paint.
2nd half in UTA Burks gave up consecutive open 3's, including one where he got tangled up down low and Bogdanovich in the corner had no one within
15 feet.
2nd half, Utah got better offensive flow and started making their 3's. Partly late closeouts by Rivers and Burks. Good spacing and ball movement.
One nice play, a drive was kicked to the left corner, and when the close out came, the pass went to the top of the arc instead of the nearby elbow, where a Knick defender expected and started scrambling to.
Another Quinn adjustment was to have 4 shooters around Gobert with Niang at PF, so Randle had to guard a perimeter shooter.
Niang went 3-6 on 3's in 13 mins.
As for Knick 2nd half offense. Quickly was really off. And Au Revoir couldn't recapture the 1st half magic.
Quick/Burks/Elf combined 0-13 on 3's. Rough outing for Burks and Quix.
A 62-35 2nd half.
Randle and RJBee with solid heavy minute games.
Rolls Royce O'Neal played a fierce game.
Gobert dominated (& O-boards and 4 Blocks) though he did miss 4 putbacks and a 5 foot shot.
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