At the start of the season, the goal was easy: to make the playoffs. In a strained Eastern Conference, that will be a step in the right direction.
That should change now. Time to think larger. The Knicks absolutely could make it to the postseason most important draw without having to play.
Sixth place must be the goal.
The conference shouldn’t be nearly as good as expected, no less than after the top five Celtics, Bucks, Nets, Cavaliers and 76ers. The Bulls and Hawks – now held in the play-in position – were disillusioned with a complete of six games under 0.500. The same can be said for the Raptors, a disastrous 16-22 record, having lost 10 of their last 13 games. Behind them are the bottom tier rebuilding teams (Magic, Pistons) and the Hornets club ruined by injuries and legal troubles for Miles Bridges. There have been rumors that the Bulls and Raptors could sell key players.
At the moment, the Knicks (21-18) are in sixth place – with a similar record to the surprising Pacers, whom the Knicks recently defeated on the road. After a 53-win season and a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat began to take off. Having won eight of the last 12 games – before Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers away to the Nuggets, Bulls, Pacers – Miami must be seen as the favorite for the sixth seed. The Pacers, led by implausible young quarterback Tyrese Haliburton, have also been playing well recently, beating the Clippers, Celtics and Cavaliers. They’re the second major threat to the Knicks in the fight for the coveted sixth place in the conference table.
The coming weeks should tell us loads. Thirteen of the Knicks’ next 14 games will be against Eastern Conference opponents. This includes three games against the Raptors and one each against the Hawks, Heat and Pacers. Fortunately, they’re recovering. Jalen Brunson returned from a hip injury against the Suns on Monday, and Obi Toppin was available Wednesday after 13 games resulting from a non-displaced right fibula fracture.
Obviously, loads can change. The halfway point of the season has not yet arrived. Two years ago, the Knicks were in the same situation with a mean 20-19 record before rebounding to fourth in the East. Last season, the Celtics went 18-21 in 39 games and reached the NBA Finals.
Only 4 losses separate the sixth Knicks and the twelfth Raptors. And with the February 9 trade deadline just over a month away, how each playoff and playoff looks like, the contender could be quite different ahead of the All-Star break.
But the Knicks are clearly in the mix to do greater than many expected of them. Of the teams which can be battling for the last seed without play-ins, they’re 2-1 against the Bulls, 1-0 against the Pacers, 0-1 against the Raptors, and 1-1 against the Hawks.
Sixth place shouldn’t be only realistic but additionally achievable. That has to be the goal as we’re approaching the halfway point of the season.
Problems at home
That is confusing. It’s troublesome. By some means the Knicks are a worse team at home than they’re away.
Even on Wednesday night, once they beat the Spurs too close for comfort, they are only 10-10 at Garden. No other team in the league with a winning record has 0.500 or less at home.
There really isn’t any common denominator accountable. The Knicks began well and lost games. They have been blown out. They were unable to recall games during the crisis.
Recently, Jalen Brunson said the Knicks have to have more sense of urgency at home. That on the road they play with more emotions and harder, but at home they feel too comfortable. But the Knicks got off to an excellent start with multiple losses in MSG, losing double-digit lead in setbacks to the Mavericks, Thunder, Hawks and 76ers. It is not like the schedule has been warped. Eleven of their 20 home matches have been against losing teams.
The biggest problem is that of their 10 defeats at Garden, six were winnable games, decided by seven points or less. Away, in matches with the same advantage, they’re 5-3. Oddly enough, the Knicks have only three home wins, including Wednesday nights.
Days off don’t suit Brunson
Brunson doesn’t like missing games. It doesn’t matter if he’s physically unable to be there. It bothers him.
Even after a break that appeared to energize him, the Knicks quarterback was still not thrilled with three away games in Texas last week, in which he was forced right into a spectator role resulting from a hip injury he still struggles with.
“In fact I’d prefer to play,” he said after scoring a regular-season 38 in Wednesday’s win over Spurs at the Garden. “I just don’t really like sitting.”
Brunson said that several matches, especially the remaining ones, have positive sides. Looks fresh since returning. But that will not change his mindset. Twice earlier this season he had been a match decision with minor injuries – one to his quadriceps and the other to his right foot – and he not only played but performed well. This really comes as no surprise to those that know him. He hasn’t missed a game in three years at Villanova, and last season he made 79 appearances for the Mavericks.
For him, the game is essential – not just for his teammates, but additionally for paying customers.
“I don’t need to let anyone know that I’m healthy [and] I just need to take today off,” he said earlier this season. “Me as a pacesetter, if I can walk and play, I actually have to bring it.”