The Knicks' Scoring Machine: Can the Pacers Stop Jalen Brunson?
Brunson's Domination
- Brunson spends a lot of time with the ball in his hands, nearly twice as much as Damian Lillard in the first round.
- He plays a ton of minutes – averaging over 43 minutes a game in the first series.
- Brunson's scoring is crucial for the Knicks. He can take over games, like when he scored nearly half their points against Philadelphia.
How Much Does Brunson Do?
Stats show Brunson isn't just scoring, he's creating offense too. He:
- Takes a lot of shots.
- Sets up teammates for scoring opportunities.
- Rarely turns the ball over.
Can the Pacers Stop Him?
The Pacers don't have the same size advantage as the Sixers, but they have a strong presence in the paint with Myles Turner. Their strategy will likely involve:
- Multiple defenders switching on Brunson.
- Trying to tire him out by making him work hard throughout the game.
The Knicks' Other Options
While Brunson is the main scoring threat, the Knicks have other ways to score:
- OG Anunoby has been stepping up as a scorer.
- Donte DiVincenzo can create offense off screens.
- Isaiah Hartenstein can facilitate plays for others.
The Key Question: Can Brunson Keep This Up?
Playing so many minutes and carrying such a heavy offensive load could wear Brunson down. The Knicks hope to:
- Find ways for other players to contribute offensively.
- Reduce Brunson's workload (but not necessarily his scoring).
The Pacers' Dilemma: Double Team or Not?
The Pacers need to decide how much attention to give Brunson:
- Double-teaming him might limit his scoring, but could leave other Knicks open for easy baskets.
- Ignoring him could lead to another high-scoring performance by Brunson.
What to Watch in Game 1
See how aggressively the Pacers try to take the ball away from Brunson. Can the Knicks find other ways to score if they do?
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