NBA Playoffs 2012: Complete Guide to Beating the New York Knicks

The New York Knicks made the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2003-2004 season.

But it was short-lived, as they went up against the Boston Celtics in the first round and were swept after losing four straight.

New York has qualified for the playoffs again this season. It's the first time the Knicks have made the postseason in back-to-back years since they made it in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.

While making the playoffs in consecutive seasons is clearly an improvement on their recent history, it doesn't look like the Knicks will be going very far.

The Knicks have too many weaknesses and they'll be facing a superior team in the first round. That's a combination that should lead to an early exit for the Knicks.

Here are six ways to defeat the Knicks in the playoffs.

Slow Down Their Tempo on Offense

The Knicks are a team that likes to move quickly on offense. They're tied for fifth in the NBA in pace factor (the number of possessions a team uses) at 95.7.

Their opponents need to use that to their advantage by forcing the Knicks to play a slower-paced game than they're accustomed to.

Force Them to Work on Offense

While the Knicks may use a lot of possessions, they're not the most efficient offense.

They're much more efficient on the defensive end. In offensive efficiency, the Knicks are ranked 19th in the NBA.

Teams need to use that to their advantage by making the Knicks work on offense.

Don't Let Carmelo Anthony Beat You in the 4th Quarter or Overtime

If there's one player in the NBA that consistently knocks down game-winning shots, it's Carmelo Anthony.

In fact, Anthony has been the most consistent clutch performer in the past 10 years.

Here's an excerpt from an article by ESPN's Ian Begley on April 9 that points out Anthony's abilities in crunch time.

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Among players that have taken at least 20 field goal attempts in game-tying or game-winning situations in the last 15 seconds of the 4th quarter or overtime in the past 10 years, Anthony ranks first in field-goal percentage (46.2), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He has made 24 of 52.

His 24 field goals are second to Kobe Bryant's 26. But Bryant is shooting 30.2 percent in 'clutch' situations (26-86).

Need more evidence that Anthony is clutch?

He's shooting 46.7 percent on game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final 24 seconds of regulation or overtime. The only player with a higher career shooting percentage in such situations over the past 16 seasons? Shawn Marion, who has shot 47.4 percent in crunch time.

 

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Opponents need to just bite the bullet and refuse to allow Anthony to touch the ball at the end of games, even if that means assigning two defenders to him.

Make somebody else beat you, because Anthony seems to always come through in game-winning situations.

Keep Doing What's Worked in the Past

The Knicks will either be the seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs. That means they'll be playing either the Chicago Bulls or the Miami Heat in the opening round.

The Heat were 3-0 against the Knicks this season, while the Bulls were 3-1 against New York.

Whether the Knicks play the Bulls or the Heat, either team just needs to stick with what worked against the Knicks during the regular season.

Take Advantage of the Backcourt

New York's strength is in the frontcourt with Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudamire and Tyson Chandler.

They're much weaker in the backcourt, especially without Jeremy Lin.

Teams need to take advantage of New York's unbalanced roster and attack its backcourt.

Let Them Live and Die by the 3-Pointer

The Knicks like to shoot a lot of three-pointers.

In fact, they've shot the second-most three-pointers of any team in the NBA and are ranked fifth in three-pointers made.

But the Knicks are also ranked 21st in three-point percentage.

So, while they shoot a lot of three-pointers, it's not something they're incredibly effective at.

Opponents need to allow New York to live and die by the three-pointer, because based on their three-point percentage in the regular season, they're more likely to fail than succeed using that style of play.