The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to the task of stopping the New York Knicks in their tracks, giving them a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 approaching. It’s safe to assume that the Hawks haven’t performed their greatest basketball yet, but thus far, they’ve done enough to win on the margins.
The defense has been crucial, especially on Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ engine. Dyson Daniels has largely guarded him in the series, and he understands how talented the guard is as a scorer.
He doesn’t have a real weakness,” Daniels told reporters. “You want to force him right, but he’s got a good pull-up going right. It’s about making early touch and attempting to get him outside the 3-point line, since he has a very nice bump in the mid-range and a very good shot fake. You must be disciplined and stay down, with your hands away. He’s extremely good at drawing fouls.
“For us, I believe it’s about early pick-up places, forcing him to work, attempting to wear him out a little bit. Once he enters the paint, he’s difficult to defend. So it’s all about keeping him out of there. “
Daniels has done an excellent job on Brunson, and he hasn’t given him much room to breathe when they’ve been paired up. That might irritate any attacking player, and it may be getting to Brunson.
“Just attempting to disrupt him a little bit. “When individuals get comfortable, they find their rhythm,” Daniels explained. “We’ve been giving him several looks, just to mix things up so he isn’t seeing the same thing over and over again. If I were being defended, pushed, and picked up, I’d most likely feel irritated as well. “
The Hawks recognize that if they cut off Brunson’s water, other Knicks players would have to step up. So far, that has not been the case for them, since players like Mikal Bridges are still attempting to find their stride. Karl-Anthony Towns is the Knicks’ obvious No. 2, yet he has rarely been involved in the offense when the Hawks put a wing on him.
It will be fascinating to see what adjustments the Knicks make, and the Hawks must be ready.
