For a team that often boasts about its slew of strong perimeter defenders, the Knicks certainly do give up a ton of points outside their 3-point line.
The Timberwolves were the latest opponent to shoot the lights out against the Knicks, connecting on 22 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc in their 116-99 win Friday night at the Garden.
“It’s pretty difficult when they’re making shots like that. We just try to keep up, get stops, but tonight was their night,” OG Anunoby said after the Knicks lost for the sixth time in nine games. “They’re just making shots so I guess we’re not doing a good job of closing out. We gotta improve on that.”
Despite the presence of heralded perimeter defenders such as Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and reserve guard Miles McBride, the Knicks already ranked 25th in the NBA in opponents 3-point percentage at 37.3 percent entering the game.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards sank eight 3-pointers in 13 attempts, while Naz Reid was a perfect 6-for-6 off the bench.
“We just gotta be better and help each other. … Just us. Guys in the locker room, coaches. Us,” Bridges said. “We just gotta be better, that’s all I can say.”
Tom Thibodeau said what he usually does about this statistical weakness, that he’s more concerned with the amount of treys attempted than the efficiency rate.
The Knicks have permitted the sixth-fewest 3-point tries in the league this season at 36.3 per game.
“There’s a couple of ways to look at it. We’re pretty high in what we allow,” Thibodeau said. “We didn’t cover it tonight. We gave up 40. The best way to guard the line is to prevent the 3s and that’s where we’re pretty good.
“But we do have to challenge [shots]. We have to have the ability to get in and get out, and have an awareness if a guy gets hot. We’ve got to make sure we’re there on the catch, take his air space away. You’ve got to read the game, make guys do one or two things that they really don’t want to do.”
