New York Knicks Takeaways vs Portland Trail Blazers

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Nov 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) looks to shoot defended by New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Good Defensive Showing

When you see the score of the game the first thought isn’t that there was much defense played in the game. Digging deeper into the stats and this was actually a good showing on that end of the court for the Knicks.

They came into the game allowing teams to score 106.2 points per game. In that regard, the Knicks had a better than average night. They held the Blazers to 44.2 percent shooting, which is also slightly below their season average of 45.2. Where they really excelled tonight was at the three-point line.

The Knicks have struggled mightily defending the three-point line at times this season. Teams that normally cannot hit anything from deep light up the Knicks. But, for the second game in a row, the Knicks held a good three-point shooting team down. The Blazers came into the game knocking down 36.1 percent of their three-pointers; against the Knicks, they made only 27.3 percent from beyond the arc.

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If the Knicks can keep improving at defending the three-point line they will continue seeing success in the win-loss column. The Knicks are beginning to get some of their swagger back on their home court, a key to becoming a playoff team.

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