Rockets Blast Past Knicks in Houston

This morning, we got some clarity regarding the Knicks roster situation...

Final Score: Knicks 97 - Rockets 109
Record: 3-3

New York dug themselves an early hole in Houston Monday night, falling behind by double-digits early in the second quarter, with the deficit ballooning to 15 shortly before halftime. The Knicks fought back in the second half, cutting the lead to a single possession late in the final frame, but couldn't get enough stops or make enough shots down the stretch.

As far as the offensive stagnation is concerned, it's a problem we have witnessed in each of the Knicks' previous two defeats this season.

New York has dominated teams that defend Karl-Anthony Towns with a traditional center and rely on drop coverage. In victories over the Pacers, Heat and Pistons (who start Myles Turner, Bam Adebayo and Jalen Duren, respectively, and have those bigs primarily drop in pick-and-roll action), the Knicks averaged over 122 points per game (130 points/100 possessions), while shooting above 50% from the floor. 

In losses to Boston, Cleveland and Houston (who have used wings to match up against KAT), New York has averaged 103.3 points per game (113.4 points/100 possessions) while shooting below 46% from the floor. 

The primary defender on Towns last night was 6'6" wing Dillon Brooks. And when New York ran pick-and-rolls up top, the Rockets switched everything. Per NBA tracking, Brooks spent the most time on KAT last night (26.7 possessions), and Tari Eason was second (13.8).

This approach was similar to the scheme deployed by the Cavs and Celtics. The primary defender on Towns opening night in Boston was Jrue Holiday (at 16.6 possessions), with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford all switching onto KAT when necessary. 

In contrast, both Bam (and his backup, Thomas Bryant) and Turner (and his backup, Isaiah Jackson) were the primary defenders on Towns for 45+ possessions.

When teams switch, New York's offense becomes static and sluggish, resulting in too much Jalen Brunson isolation and insufficient ball movement. 

"We need to be better with our switching offense," Brunson told reporters last night. "That's just plain and simple. We need to be better."

In New York's three wins this season, the team has averaged 291 passes per game and 42 potential assists. 

In their three losses, New York averaged 273 passes per game and 33 potential assists. 

When the ball sticks, Towns is not utilized properly.

In New York's three wins, Towns is averaging 28.7 points on 55.6% shooting.

In New York's three losses, KAT is averaging 14.0 points on 47.1% shooting.

More to the point, in New York's three wins, KAT is averaging:
18 FG attempts, 4.3 three-point attempts and 6.3 FT attempts. 

In New York's three losses, he is averaging:
11 FG attempts, 2.0 three-point attempts and 3.0 FT attempts.

As a team, New York is averaging 35 three-point attempts in wins and fewer than 29 in losses (as switching teams aim to prevent New York from firing away from behind the arc.)