CJ McCollum and the Hawks gave the Knicks the kick they needed
Posting and Toasting • • sports
Key Points:
- The Knicks dominated their first-round series against the Hawks, outscoring them by 105 points—the most lopsided six-game series in NBA history—despite the series going to six games.
- After a shaky start and criticism following Game 3, the Knicks tightened their rotation, increased defensive intensity, and adjusted their offensive strategy, leading to three consecutive blowout wins by a combined 94 points.
- The Hawks' highly effective regular-season starting lineup struggled significantly in the series, posting a -14.4 net rating compared to their +20.3 in the regular season, highlighting their poor playoff performance.
- The Knicks maintained control throughout most of the series, holding a lead for 83% of the time and spending nearly 20% of the series with a 20+ point advantage, underscoring the lack of competitiveness despite the series length.
- The turnaround after Game 3, sparked in part by CJ McCollum's clutch performances despite earlier criticism, was pivotal for the Knicks and may shape their momentum heading into the next playoff round.
