The New York Knicks have struggled from three throughout the postseason. So something must change if they want to beat the Heat.
The New York Knicks face the Miami Heat tonight for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After a hard-fought Game 1, New York wants to bounce back and tie the series 1-1.
Heading into tonight’s matchup, there are questions about whether Jimmy Butler will play tonight for the Heat and if Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle will play for the Knicks – all of whom are dealing with some sort of ankle injury.
But while no one will know who is playing tonight until it’s closer to game time, one thing is for certain. New York needs to shoot better from three.
This entire postseason, New York has been abysmal from three. Here are their numbers:
- CLE Game 1: 20.6%
- CLE Game 2: 31.0%
- CLE Game 3: 27.6%
- CLE Game 4: 30.3%
- CLE Game 5: 24.1%
- MIA Game 1: 21.6%
New York will need to flip the switch if they’re looking to compete with the Heat.
Thankfully, Miami’s three-point shooting dipped from what they did in the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks—the Heat shot 45 percent from three through the first round, but just 33 percent from three in Game 1 against the Knicks.
If New York can keep Miami in check from beyond the arc, they can take this series because their ability to score inside the perimeter is there. But they’ll need a balanced offensive attack to keep Miami’s defense honest.
Grimes should start, and Hart should go back to the Knicks’ bench
Who should start at shooting guard? Should it be Quentin Grimes or Josh Hart? This has been an interesting conversation amongst the fanbase.
Some wanted Hart to stay in the starting rotation because of his efficiency. On top of that, his intensity is an element some want to see set the tone at the start of games. However, having Hart out there with RJ Barrett – who has struggled from three – reduces the Knicks’ three-point shooting threat.
I get it. I get it. How can having Hart out there, who had a 45 three-point percentage (prior to Game 1 against the Heat) and averaged 51.9 percent during the 25 regular season games with the Knicks, reduce the three-point shooting of New York?
Well, as great as Hart has been for the Knicks from shooting from downtown, he isn’t a high-volume three-point shooter. During the regular season, Hart attempted 2.1 threes through the 25 games he played with the Knicks. As for Grimes, who shot 38.6 percent from three during the regular season, he averaged 5.7 attempts through 71 games.
Having a player capable of shooting the lights out from downtown creates more spacing for New York (who desperately needs it) and potentially causes the Heat to change their defensive scheme. As demonstrated through the first matchup of the series between the Knicks and the Heat, Erik Spoelstra adjusted the Heat’s defense to allow New York to beat them from three, and Hart was out there for 43 minutes, compared to Grimes’ 10.
Now, I know some will point these playoff stats out to me that Hart is shooting better than Grimes from three (and all around). Plus, they’ll relay to me all the other box score numbers greater than Grimes’. On top of that, some will reinforce that Hart should start to guard Butler because he will match his strength and intensity.
While understanding the total impact of Hart on this team—and he has been fantastic in the playoffs, considering this is his first appearance—Grimes still needs an opportunity to get touches to get into a shooting rhythm.
Grimes has averaged 17 touches per game during the playoffs, which is last on the Knicks for anyone who has averaged over 15 minutes of playing time—Grimes is averaging 18.2 minutes. Through the regular season, Grimes averaged 31.4 touches per game through 29.9 minutes, ranking sixth on the Knicks.
It isn’t uncommon for Grimes to go by the wayside and not be involved in the offense. This is a mix of the team and the coach trying to get him involved, while Grimes is sometimes reluctant to take a shot or be decisive when he has the ball. Nonetheless, New York needs him to be involved in this offense to help with spacing.
What should encourage the Knicks to get Grimes involved is that he’s shot well against Miami on the season. Against the Heat, Grimes has averaged 16.3 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a shooting split of .550/.500/.857. To make that shooting split more encouraging, Grimes averaged 10 field goal attempts, 7.5 three-point attempts, and 1.8 free throw attempts.
Seeing how Grimes plays well against Miami, that should encourage the Knicks to get him more involved—Thibs and his staff should be aware that some players play better against certain opponents, which seems like one of them.
In addition to Grimes’ offensive success against the Heat, he has successfully defended Butler. According to NBA.com, Butler shot 43.8 percent (7-16) when guarded by Grimes during the regular season. So Quentin is more than capable of defending Jimmy (and to be honest, New York will need all five guys on the court to guard Butler).
Now, Grimes did return from a shoulder injury. So maybe Thibs and everyone were trying to ease him back in.
At the end of the day, the Knicks need three-point shooting, especially if they want to get to their bread and butter, which is attacking 15 feet and closer. Having Grimes in the starting rotation again should cause Miami’s defense to honor New York’s perimeter shooting. But it’ll only work if New York can get Grimes his touches and if Grimes can take advantage of them.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out this clip of Chris Herring, author of “Blood in the Garden,” talking about how Pat Riley betrayed the Knicks for the Heat in the 90s.
