After a thrilling Game 1 between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks, the stage has been set for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. The Hawks have the early series lead after a game-winning Trae Young floater with 0.9 seconds left propelled Atlanta to a 107-105 victory. Don't be rattled though Knicks fans, here are three things the Knicks have to do in order to win a critical Game 2.
Make Trae Young beat you from three
It sounds puzzling to say this but it's the reality of the situation. Trae Young got to the rim off the pick-and-roll at will against the Knicks in Game 1. Young made just one three-pointer on three attempts and while he's lethal from beyond the arc, he has molded his game into working inside the three-point line much of this year. He will kill you at the rim and he showed that in Game 1. When he got to the paint in the 4th quarter, it led to a ton of free-throws. Young can beat you in a variety of ways but it is critical for the Knicks, with their tremendous three-point defense, to keep Young on the perimeter Wednesday night.
Shoot better from the land beyond
Reggie Bullock was a 41% three-point shooter during the regular season. He went 0-5 in Game 1. Julius Randle was a 41% three-point shooter during the regular season. He went 2-6 in Game 1. RJ Barrett was a 40% three-point shooter during the regular season. He went 1-6 in Game 1. Yet the Knicks only lost by two points.
Point blank, Bullock needs to better and RJ needs to hit the corner threes that he has buried all year for the Knicks to win Game 2 on Wednesday. There's less urgency with Randle and the three because he does it in so many ways on the offensive end of the floor. A similar case can be made for Barrett but he does get a lot of his scoring from the perimeter. If New York wants to win Game 2, shoot better than the 33% they shot as a team in Game 1 and flip the switch.
Trust the young guys as much as the vets
Certain dudes are built for playoff atmospheres and Immanuel Quickley is absolutely one of those guys. He fed off the Madison Square Garden crowd on Sunday and went 4-7 from the field in 21 minutes. Obi Toppin has underwhelmed this year but really came on late in the season and provided another spark in Game 1 off the bench for the Knicks.
The memo usually goes to trust the veterans in the playoffs and while that's the case for the Knicks, they can trust these rookies in Quickley and Toppin to carry some of the burden as well. Both are playing excellent basketball given their roles at the perfect time of the season to be doing so.
Game 2 will likely be every bit as crazy and dramatic as Game 1 between the Knicks and the Hawks. If Atlanta pulls it out, they take a commanding lead back home with them. If New York gets the job done, it's all square heading to the ATL on Friday.
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