Karl-Anthony Towns is a different beast as a PF

Karl-Anthony Towns was a defensive liability for the Knicks during their opening two losses to the Pacers. 

Staying in drop coverage, he was routinely hunted in pick-and-roll scenarios by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, who got whatever they wanted when guarded by Towns. 

All that changed in Game 3, with Tom Thibodeau pulling off a masterstroke by inserting Mitchell Robinson into the starting unit. As a result, Towns no longer had to worry about being a rim protector and instead could focus on what he does best: being a scoring machine.

The strategy paid off in a big way. The Knicks were +11 when Towns and Robinson played together alongside OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Miles McBride — an unconventional unit that played most of the third quarter due to Brunson being in foul trouble. New York wouldn't have dared field such a lineup with Towns at center, as it would have given the Pacers a superhighway to the basket.  

In the fourth quarter, Towns proved why the Knicks gave up such a massive haul to acquire him last offseason. His 20 points matched the entire Pacers' scoring output and saved the Knicks' season.

Towns became the second Knick in franchise history to record a 20-point fourth quarter in the playoffs. Furthermore, he became the fourth Knick to register a 20/15 game in the conference finals.