Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Karl-Anthony Towns Goes Off in Miami
Oct 30, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots the basketball over Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images|Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Karl-Anthony Towns Shines as Knicks Triumph Over Heat
The New York Knicks secured a significant victory against the Miami Heat, with Karl-Anthony Towns delivering an outstanding performance. Towns, recently criticized for not being involved enough in the offense, silenced his critics by scoring 44 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and shooting an impressive 17 of 25 from the field. His ability to dominate both inside and outside the paint was on full display, showcasing why the Knicks acquired him. Towns’ performance was a testament to his status as one of the most talented offensive big men in the league.
Jalen Brunson’s Leadership on Display
Jalen Brunson played a crucial role in orchestrating the Knicks’ offense, contributing 22 points and nine assists. His determination to involve Towns was evident throughout the game. Brunson’s vocal leadership on the court, urging Towns to set screens and get involved, was a key factor in the team’s success. His ability to direct traffic and create opportunities for his teammates highlighted his growth as a point guard. Brunson’s performance was a reminder of his commitment to ensuring the team’s offensive flow.
The synergy between Brunson and Towns was particularly effective, with numerous pick-and-roll plays leading to scoring opportunities. This dynamic duo proved challenging for the Heat to defend, as Brunson’s decision-making and Towns’ versatility created a formidable offensive threat. The Knicks’ strategy of initiating possessions with Brunson and Towns in pick-and-roll situations paid off, opening up the floor for other players and contributing to the team’s overall success.
Defensive Adjustments and Key Plays
While the Knicks’ offense was firing on all cylinders, their defense showed moments of brilliance and areas for improvement. The team effectively neutralized Miami’s star player, Jimmy Butler, limiting his impact on the game. However, Tyler Herro’s 34-point performance highlighted the need for better communication and execution on defense. The Knicks’ strategy of doubling Herro and forcing the ball out of his hands was effective at times, but lapses in communication allowed him to find open looks.
Despite these challenges, the Knicks demonstrated their defensive potential with timely steals and transition plays. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby were instrumental in creating turnovers and disrupting Miami’s offensive rhythm. The team’s ability to anticipate and trap opponents showcased their defensive capabilities, which will be crucial as they continue to develop chemistry and cohesion.
The Knicks’ victory over the Heat was a promising sign of their potential as a contender. With Towns and Brunson leading the charge, the team displayed a balanced attack and the ability to adapt defensively. As the season progresses, maintaining this level of play and addressing defensive lapses will be key to their success.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- Mikal Bridges’ shooting performance and confidence
- Josh Hart’s efficient play and impact on the game
- Knicks fans’ presence in Miami and its effect on the atmosphere
- Deuce McBride’s contributions and standout moments
Last week in this space, I briefly mentioned the huge number of whistles we’d seen this season compared to the previous campaign, something that’s since been corroborated by others. But there’s another leaguewide trend worth watching. The NBA is seeing a surge in offensive rebounding — one that I think will stick.
The average offensive rebounding rate sits at 28.9%, the highest for a 10-day sample in the last decade by a mile. After a nadir in offensive rebounding in the late 2010s and early 2020s, the last few seasons have seen rates ticking slowly but surely back up, like a turtle climbing a hill. But nothing in recent history has compared to what we’ve seen in these first 10 days:
Graph by Mike Shearer
So what’s going on? Offensive rebounding used to be considered a double-edged sword. In general, crashing the glass meant giving up more in transition, and for years, the increasingly trendy focus on limiting fast break opportunities (thanks for killing fun, Coach Popovich!) cut off the O-boarding oxygen supply.
But teams are increasingly figuring out how to balance the two in pursuit of winning. Several of last year’s best regular-season teams emphasized window-wiping: New York, Denver, Phoenix, and Boston were all top-11 offensive-rebounding teams. (So were Portland and Utah, to be fair, but teams that struggle to score in more traditional ways often emphasize the offensive glass, too.)
Why are teams hungry to recover their own misses, and how are they doing so? (And don’t forget to click through for the Mildly Interesting Stat of the Week!)
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Watch The Knicks defeated the Heat 116-107. Couldn’t tune in? Watch the full game highlights.
Analysis The Heat had no answer for Karl-Anthony Towns last night. He had his best night so far with the Knicks, coming away with 44 points and 13 rebounds. (New York Post)
Must Read Sinful. Diabolical. Those are just a couple of the words The Ringer’s Danny Chau uses to describe LaMelo Ball’s playing style.
Analysis Chris Herring of ESPN+ looks at the Cavaliers, KAT, Morant, and more in an early-season status report.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Victor Wembanyama’s Early Struggles In Fantasy Basketball
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) works to steal the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) after he fell to the floor during the second half at Paycom Center.
|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The NBA season is in full swing, and with it comes a slew of injuries and unexpected player performances that can significantly impact your fantasy basketball strategy. Here’s a look at the latest updates and insights to help you navigate these changes.
Key Injury Updates
Scottie Barnes is out with an orbital fracture, sidelining him for at least three weeks. This opens up opportunities for other Toronto Raptors players to step up, potentially offering valuable fantasy pickups.
The New Orleans Pelicans are dealing with injuries to CJ McCollum and Herb Jones. McCollum’s adductor issue and Jones’ shoulder problem could keep them out for multiple games, affecting the Pelicans’ lineup and fantasy prospects.
Player Struggles: Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson
Victor Wembanyama’s early-season performance has been underwhelming, especially for those who drafted him high. In a recent game, he took only five shots, raising concerns about his role and usage. While it’s too early to panic, fantasy managers should monitor his situation closely, as his potential remains high.
Zion Williamson is also off to a rocky start, with shooting percentages well below expectations. Despite playing 33 minutes in a recent game, his field goal percentage has been alarmingly low. This could be attributed to lingering effects from an illness, but it’s a situation that requires close attention from fantasy managers.
Click the button below to learn why there’s concern over Jrue Holiday, as well as a possible new streaming option out in Indianapolis.
Something Or Nothing: Does The Knicks Defense Actually Suck? + Can Mikal Bridges Find His Shot?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe play a new Knicks theme’d version of “Something Or Nothing?” by running through six stats/trends (and one conspiracy theory) that have defined the team’s early season. Is the defense really this bad? Did Mikal Bridges really forget how to shoot threes while becoming Kevin Durant in the mid-range? Has Josh Hart transformed into an elite pick and roll operator?
The Knicks Cruise Past the Wizards | Are They Clicking At Just the Right Time?
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ drubbing of the Wizards, including huge performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, some much-needed rest for the starters, and the continued emergence of Pacome Dadiet as the Knicks approach a very winnable part of their schedule.
Josh Hart And Karl-Anthony Towns Rip Through Brooklyn And The Knicks Win Again
Well that one was less dramatic! The Knicks again played like the Avatar and found perfect balance in the four elements as four starters finished with at least 20 points in 114-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets that was largely settled midway through the 4th quarter. Gavin Schall breaks down a third straight fantastic night from Josh Hart and the creative ways Tom Thibodeau used him to unlock the Knicks offense before exploring Karl-Anthony Towns deep Cheesecake Factoryesque bag and OG Anunoby punishing the Nets and the rim. We also touch on Pacome Dadiet flashing defensively and deserving more minutes and Mikal Bridges confident shooting.
