The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference finals for the second year running. But this year has a different feel to it.
A 4-0 sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round more than positioned New York as a serious contender.
The aim is to go one better than last year and reach the NBA Finals. They await the conclusion of the other East semis between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers to know their opponent in the conference finals.
Whoever the opposition may be, the Knicks have an edge.
According to NBA legend and NBC analyst Jamal Crawford in a recent NBA Mailbag, that edge has them looking poised to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
“3-point shooting. They’re so explosive, especially when they’re playing free and fast,” Crawford said when asked what the Knicks’ biggest X-factor will be in the conference finals. “Jalen Brunson is going to do what he does. He’s so good and gives balance to their team, especially from 15 feet and in. When the game gets more physical, he almost becomes like a post player because he gets close to the basket. He can use his footwork and bumps to generate opportunities.”
New York Knicks Among Elite 3-Point Teams in Playoffs
The Knicks finished the NBA regular season in the top three in 3-point average. In the playoffs, New York is shooting at 40.8% from beyond the arc, better than anyone else. In fact, no one is shooting 40%.
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk during a free throw by a teammate in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2024 in New York City.
The Knicks’ perimeter play has been hard to ignore this postseason.
“But the way they shoot the ball when they play with pace is what makes them especially explosive,” Crawford added.
The Knicks have displayed strong shooting throughout the playoffs and particularly in the second round against the Sixers. In Game 4, to round up the sweep, New York equaled an NBA playoff record with 25 made 3-pointers on 44 attempts, shooting at 57%. They outshot the Sixers by 17 3s.
In the first half alone, the Knicks had 18 3-pointers. Miles McBride was the standout in the night as he started in place of the injured OG Anunoby. He had 25 points which was a team high, and scored seven 3-pointers from nine attempts.
These shooting mechanics have been the Knicks’ biggest weapon so far and have enabled enough spacing in the front court for the likes of Jalen Brunson to exploit. They will hope to carry that shooting form into the Conference Finals.
N.Y. Eyes First NBA Finals in Almost Three Decades
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns #32, Jalen Brunson #11 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks react against the Detroit Pistons during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.
The Knicks have handled their playoff business early. The first round against the Atlanta Hawks did go to six games but the Sixers’ series was done in four. They will be fresh pending the outcome of Game 6 between Cleveland and Detroit.
Last year was close to an NBA Finals for the Knicks, a stage they last reached in 1999. That team had Patrick Ewing as the headliner and it was the last time New York tasted the championship series.
They swung into mediocrity after that run until they got Brunson into the fold. This current core led by him has established itself as a playoff contender and is now a title contender.
With the Conference Finals looming, fans can sense something special brewing in Madison Square Garden.
Knicks Get Major X-Factor Ahead of Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals