Containing a modern NBA team below 80 points demands a confluence of factors. It’s about more than just shooting luck and favorable officiating; it’s a delicate balance of circumstances. Facing opponents grappling with injuries certainly helps, especially when key players are enduring cold streaks.
And welcoming back your premier defender, as the New York Knicks did with OG Anunoby’s return, can be a game-changer. Yet, labeling Anunoby’s comeback as the sole decisive factor in the Knicks’ ability to limit the Philadelphia 76ers to a mere 79 points on Tuesday wouldn’t paint the full picture, given recent defensive exploits.
The Knicks have etched their names in the annals of NBA history by becoming the first team since 2012 to hold three consecutive opponents below the 80-point mark.
This remarkable streak commenced against the Orlando Magic, who were without their starting point guard, Jalen Suggs, resulting in a resounding 98-74 victory for the Knicks. Subsequently, in a rematch against the 76ers on Sunday, although the Knicks succumbed to defeat, they maintained defensive prowess by restricting their opponents to just 79 points.
Across this stellar defensive stretch, the Knicks have met various benchmarks. Their opponents’ three-point shooting has been abysmal, mustering a mere 25.8% accuracy on 23-of-89 attempts.
Moreover, they’ve compelled their adversaries into taking only 50 free throws collectively, significantly below the league’s season-long average, which typically hovers around 66 or 67 attempts. The absence of key players like Suggs, Embiid, and Maxey, coupled with Tobias Harris’ prolonged slump, further contributed to the Knicks’ defensive dominance.
While a three-game sample size might seem insignificant in the broader context of the NBA season, the prevailing trend of declining scoring across the league lends credence to these defensive exploits. Prior to the All-Star break, the league-wide offensive rating stood at 116.4, but it has since dipped to 114.1.
Notably, six teams are now averaging below 107 points per game, a stark contrast to the pre-All-Star break scenario. Moreover, there’s been a noticeable decrease in free-throw attempts post-break, down from 45.3 to 39.6 per game.
The recent shift towards reduced scoring and increased physicality on defense has created an environment ripe for historic defensive performances. While the Knicks’ defensive prowess is undoubtedly influenced by factors such as injuries, coaching, and roster makeup, the broader league dynamics play a significant role.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau has instilled a defensive culture in New York that’s resilient even amidst a barrage of injuries, maintaining a top-10 defense throughout the season.
However, it’s worth noting that what constituted a top-10 defense before the All-Star break might not hold the same weight in this post-break defensive landscape.
For instance, the 10th-ranked defense pre-All-Star break would now rank 17th. The Knicks may have been the first to achieve such historic defensive feats after the 2024 All-Star break, but they likely won’t be the last, given the evolving defensive dynamics across the league.
