How to avoid nax post plane-trap

Of the playoff contenders, in eight games, eight stand between Knock and a surprise playoff berth.

As it stands, the Nax holds the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are one full game ahead of the fifth-ranked Hawks, with the Celtics and Heat trailing them by two games Appy.

it’s important. One of those teams will end up under sixth and have to participate in the tournament playing seventh through 10th seeds. The seventh and eighth seeds meet first, with the loser having to be the winner of the game between the ninth and 10th seeds to determine the final entrant.

The winner of 10 of their last 11 matches, would obviously like to avoid it. Here are four keys to stay out of the play-in:


There are many reasons that the Nucks have met expectations, ranging from Tom’s Thibodo’s brilliant coaching job to an all-out effort depending on the game.

But topping the list is the play of Julius Randall and RJ Barrett. The Knock would not be close to the playoffs without this big pair and would not be able to make such big matches and Randall and Barrett would not survive the play-in bracket if they could not continue their current pace.

Julius Randall # 30 Hi-Fives RJ Barrett # 9 New York Nix
RJ Barrett and Julius Randle need to get their games back.
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It is not a coincidence that Randall and Barrett clashed once – after losing to the Nucks in the last three weeks – to the Sun on Monday. They have been incredibly consistent on both ends of the floor, making big shots and bringing on defensive ends, managing heavy workloads. They will need strong fishing to ensure that the Knicks do as well. Either Randall, a first-time All-Star, or Barrett, who is in a sensational second season, has led the scoring in 15 of his last 17 matches.


The late rescue has been slippery, which Thibodo has tried to address. In Wednesday’s win over the Bulls, he made a point after stepping on Barrett and beating him at the back door.

According to Chris Herring of Sports Illustrated, the Knicks allowed 113.5 points per 100 possessions on April 16-27. His defensive rating over that period was 113.5 – 21st-worst in the league – below his fourth-place mark (108.0) this season. The Knicks allow the fewest points per game (104.7), but six opponents have scored that point in the last 11 matches. Five of its final nine opponents are ranked in the top 15 in offensive ratings. That does not include the Lakers, who should have LeBron James back from an ankle injury, facing the Knicks on May 11 at the Staples Center.


The schedule is tough, with few soft spots. The Nucks cannot afford those opportunities to advance, especially since they have to face the Suns, Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets and Grizzlies on the road. This means that the trip will start on Sunday by defeating the Rockets (16–47), who are registering a convincing win over the Bucks. That means taking care of playoff contenders like the Hornets and Celtics at home. The two have a losing record on the road and the Nucks at the Garden are red-hot, winning 14 of their last 18 matches.


Alec Burke of New York # 18 Nucks dribbled the ball
Alec Burke is the key to Knox’s stretch run.
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The Nucks should get Alec Burke back soon after he missed the last seven matches while on the COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocol list. He participated in Wednesday’s shooting before a win over the Bulls. Prior to his absence, Burke had emerged as a key player off the bench with 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and scored 19 points or more in nine of his last 15 matches.

While crook Emmanuel Quickley has spread his legs and Derrick Rose has seen his numbers and minutes increase with Burke out, the 6-foot-6 wing’s shotmaking, defense and toughness have been considered integral to the Knicks’ success. He will need to stretch against such stiff competition.

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