Knicks' Defensive Surge: Playoffs in Sight

0:00It's March 5th, here's your NBA news in two minutes. Subscribe to stay locked in all season. The New York Knicks showed serious defensive grit in a close 103-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. They frustrated Chad Hongren and held a top offense to their second lowest point total since February 1st. Since that date, the Knicks' rank is the fifth best defense in the league, a huge shift that's got them playing their strongest ball of the season. Earlier in the year, things looked rough. From Christmas through late January, they were the 24th ranked defense, struggling to stop drives or outside shots, which led to losses like, giving up 130 points twice. A key tweak came after a January 19 defeat to Dallas, where they started funneling ball handlers to the edges instead of the middle, cutting, down on easy drive and kick plays, players and coaches credit better physicality, louder communication, and growing trust on that end. Center Carl Anthony Towns highlighted how defense won key moments last playoffs, like

1:02steals and rebounds. The team just started caring more, with no single switch flipped, but gradual improvements through the regular season. Standouts include Michael Bridges thriving off the ball, OG, O-O-B jumping lanes, and Landry Chimett fighting screens after his injury return. Even Towns has stepped up in drop coverage, while Jalen Brunson draws charges and Mitchell Robinson provides rim help. They held three straight foes under 100 points before the thunder game. As playoffs near, the nicks must keep this trend alive to contend. Its turn skeptics around after a shaky January, but converting stops into wins is the real test ahead. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Headphones in a pillow. Don't you try it? It just makes sense. S-O-L-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.com