Knicks Screening for Jalen BrunsonMitchell Robinson
Season:15.6
Playoffs:7.8
Julius Randle
Season:8.5
Playoffs:4.8
Isaiah Hartenstein
Season:7.2
Playoffs:4.8
Josh Hart
Season:2.1
Playoffs:7.8
Immanuel Quickley
Season:1.2
Playoffs:4
RJ Barrett
Season:1
Playoffs:5.5
The Knicks have adopted this strategy because it directly takes Cleveland’s two best defenders, Allen and Evan Mobley, out of the action. And when the Cavs pressure Brunson, the defense is forced to scramble and rotate late, creating advantages or offensive rebounding opportunities.
With the Cavs sending two at Brunson in the play above, Hart short rolled to the basket and drew the attention of three Cavaliers defenders. He had options: throw a lob to Robinson at the rim, kick out to Obi Toppin in the corner, or hit a wide-open Barrett. Hart chose the simple pass to Barrett, who missed. But with the defense out of position, Hart was in a good spot to grab the board and find Brunson, who made a dagger 3-pointer.
Assuming the Knicks continue this strategy, the Cavs will either need to make sounder rotations on the back end to prevent open shots or switch the on-ball screen and risk Brunson (who scored a game-high 29 points in Game 4) exploiting a weaker defender one-on-one. The latter is what happened earlier in the series, when the Knicks were using Brunson to target Cedi Osman.
Cleveland is allowing only 98 points per game this series, so it’s not as if New York is shredding its defense. But this is a grind-it-out series, and the Knicks are regularly creating better looks that expose their opponent’s weaknesses.
Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff has been able to find more answers than J.B. Bickerstaff’s so far. Down 3-1 in the series, the Cavs look like a team running out of options.
The Knicks haven’t even really leaned on Robinson or Randle screening for Brunson yet, like they did all year. For now, the Knicks will continue with something new. After all, it’s working.
