On the New York Knicks` first offensive possession in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Karl-Anthony Towns missed a deep 3-pointer off the front rim. Just a minute later, he followed up with a contested, off-balance floater that also didn`t fall. Coming off a subdued performance in Game 2 where he scored only 10 points and none in the second half, this was not the ideal way for the All-Star big man to start.
However, in a sense, those early misses were actually a positive sign. After not attempting a single shot in the entire fourth quarter of Game 2, he had already taken two shots within the first 90 seconds of Game 3.
“He came out with the mindset of attacking right from the start, and I thought that was important for him and us,” New York coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.
Towns earned a trip to the free-throw line a few possessions later. Then, during a five-minute span, he knocked down three trail 3-pointers.
In the Knicks` 118-116 victory, which secured them a 2-1 lead in the series, Towns delivered a game-high performance with 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also contributed eight rebounds, a steal, and two blocks across 41 minutes. He was efficient from deep, hitting 4 of 8 attempts, and perfect from the free-throw line, making all seven shots. Towns effectively attacked different defenders across the court. While he matched up against center Jalen Duren more often than in the previous two games, his most significant basket – a turnaround jumper in isolation with three minutes left – came against forward Tobias Harris.
Towns, acquired by New York in a significant trade before training camp, is highly likely to be named to his third All-NBA team soon. He was instrumental in making the Knicks an elite offensive team during the regular season. However, after their stagnant and sluggish offensive showing in Game 2, he bore a significant portion of the criticism.
“I`d say, `Welcome to New York,` but I think he has a really good understanding of New York, being from here,” Thibodeau remarked. “So essentially he`s unfazed. He`s experienced. He possesses considerable confidence. And he responded wonderfully.”
New York guard Jalen Brunson, who added 30 points himself along with seven rebounds and nine assists, commented that Towns “set the tone” for the team`s performance.
“That`s the KAT we know,” Brunson stated. “It`s no surprise to us. We`re simply happy when he`s capable of going out there and doing that.”
The reality is that Towns faced excessive criticism for Game 2 and will likely receive too much credit for Game 3. In both instances, his individual performance was more a reflection of the Knicks` overall offensive approach rather than the primary factor determining it. “We got bogged down in Game 2,” Thibodeau acknowledged, somewhat understating the situation. New York`s offense looked lost for much of that loss, bearing little resemblance to the team that ranked fifth in offensive efficiency during the regular season.
Following extensive discussion leading up to Game 3, it became clear that the Knicks didn`t need drastic measures like severely reducing Josh Hart`s minutes for better floor spacing or heavily relying on their two-big lineup with Towns and Mitchell Robinson. On Thursday, their strategy wasn`t radically different from what they employed all season. They increased their pace, looked for Towns in transition opportunities, and found ways to create advantages, pressure the rim, and keep the ball moving.
“I thought guys made a lot of positive plays for each other — whether it was quickly advancing the ball up the court, driving into the paint, passing it out, making the extra pass — and that helped everyone find a good offensive rhythm,” Thibodeau explained.
There was no reason for New York to be thrown off by Detroit`s defensive tactic of assigning Harris to guard Towns and Duren to guard Hart in the first place. Opponents have used this defensive strategy throughout the season, and Towns typically prefers attacking smaller defenders. When the Knicks execute proper floor spacing, make quick decisions, push the ball after defensive rebounds, and don`t solely rely on Brunson to create everything, Towns naturally finds opportunities to attack effectively, just as he did on Thursday.
“Credit to [Brunson and Hart], they found me within the flow of the offense and I was able to capitalize on those chances,” Towns commented.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted that Detroit “knew [Towns] was going to be aggressive.” In Game 4 on Sunday, expect them to be more conscious of matching up with him in transition and more disciplined in defending him without committing fouls. While Detroit cannot expect to hold him to just 10 points again, they can certainly improve their efforts to prevent easy scoring opportunities.
