Much of the talk in the first round of the Knicks against the Pistons has been about the defense of Mikal Bridges in Cadingham. But it is the offense that could be Factor X of this series.
The Knicks changed to Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns partly to help remove the jalen brunnson load after scoring more than 40 points in five playoff games last year, and need a little while they felt the tension of an exhausted list.
Offensively, Bridges has had a strange season with the Knicks.
He is scratched in the deep legs, shooting 35.4 percent disappointing, his lowest clip of the 3 -point range since his rookie season.
Bridges has only fired 30.5 percent in 3S above the key compared to 42.5 percent from the corners, according to NBA.com.
Bridges also didn’t exert much pressure on the edge. Despite leading the NBA in minutes played, Bridges only tried 118 free throws, or 1.4 per game.
Neverberness, Bridges was one of the most efficient medium range shooters in the NBA this season.
The analyzes say it is difficult to win games with those attempts to form a heavy section of a player’s shooting diet. Bridges, thought, believes otherwise, especially when it comes to the playoffs.
“It is more difficult to get to the edge, it is more difficult to get 3S, and it is like much of the court,” Bridges said Thursday. “It is not just the edge and the 3. They pay a lot of money to the boys to protect the edge and things like that. Therefore, it is like entering their habitat if you are only willing to enter there while waiting for you.
Attacking the edge against a young Pistons team that has accumulated the fourth most false fourths of the League this season can be important for the Knicks.
Bringing players to fault and shaking problems could be harmful to a team composed of the players of the playoffs.
With all the attention in Brunson, Bridges should have opportunities to catch and shoot 3.
The Knicks will need to shoot more 3 in the playoffs than in the regular season, when they occupied 27th in attempts.
Bridges has demonstrated the ability to be a 3 -point high volume and efficient shooter in the past.
Knicks may need that version of bridges now more than ever.