Knicks vs Pacers Scouting Report

- Knicks = live or die by the 3
POSITIVES = great defense, go-to scorer, 3pt shooting
NEGATIVE = loses mental focus, Isolation ball

Lineup
PG Felton = good off the PNR, good shooter
PG Prigoni = great defense, smart PNR player
SF Shumpert = great defender, good spot up 3pt shooter
*PF MELO = go-to scorer, underrated rebounder, dislocated shoulder
C Tyson = defensive presence, zero offense except for dunks

Bench
SG Kidd = more of an SG guard, good defender still
*SG JR Smith = playmaker, streaker 3pt shooter
PF KMart - defensive presence, zero offense except for dunks
PF Amare = adequate low post scorer and rebounder, horrible defender
SF Copeland = offensive low post/3pt shooter; horrible defense
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Indiana = defensive team with a slow pace
POSITIVES = size up front, athleticism
NEGATIVES = outside shooting, no go-to scorer

Lineup
PG Hill = spot up 3pt shooter, not a play maker
SG Stephenson = streaky shooter, great in transition, underrated defender
*SF George = athletic, slashing defender with streaky shooting, fastbreaks
*PF West = leader, low post moves, spot up shooter
C Hibbert = slow footed, 7ft low post scorer; inconsistent

Bench
PG DJ Augustine = pesty defender who forgot how to shoot
SG Green = freakishly athletic, slashing SF who excels in transition
PF Hansborough = blue collar, offensive rebounder
C Mahinmi = shot blocker, defensive presence, zero offense except for dunks
C Pendergraph = huge defender who can hit outside shot

Overall = knicks might have the better talent but Indiana is a tougher and bigger team (West, Hibbert, Hansborough, Mahinmi, Pendergraph). As we see in the playoffs, it gets MORE physical and refs are a big factor. Melo already has a dislocated left shoulder. If the knicks lose their cool and get technicals it'll be over. Pacers are a HUGE and PHYSICAL half court team just like the bulls. The problem with the Pacers is they're VERY bad and slow on the offensive side. Their offense comes from defensive transition (George, Stephenson, Green). This should be a close series however since knicks have home court advantage i HOPE they win in 7.