Knicks need to change starting lineup for Game 3

The Knicks starters have been outscored by 50 points while on the court together in the playoffs, which is why the Knicks are reportedly considering benching Josh Hart for backup center Mitchell Robinson in Game 3 Sunday in Indianapolis. Robinson had six points, nine rebounds and three blocks in Game 2, and the Knicks were +6 in his 29 minutes. Backup guard Miles McBride was +6 in his 25 minutes.

The starting lineup features three former teammates from the national champion Villanova Wildcats in Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. While the three have history together, it's not an ideal combination. Brunson is a great point guard, but Hart, Bridges and OG Anunoby are natural small forwards.

That was more acceptable against the wing-heavy Boston Celtics in the second round, but the Pacers are quicker, with shooters up and down their roster. They also have a 250-pound power forward in Pascal Siakam who is scoring 28 points per game and shooting 56 percent in the series.

Adding Robinson would ideally beef up the starting lineup's porous defense, which is allowing the Pacers to shoot 61 percent when they're on the floor together. At least with Robinson on the floor, the Knicks can counter the Pacers with greater size and contest more shots. They'll also keep Indiana from hiding the worst defender in their starting lineup, Tyrese Haliburton, on Hart, New York's most reluctant shooter.

There are benefits to bringing Hart, a sold ball handler and excellent rebounder for his size, off the bench. The 6-foot-4 Hart is grabbing 8.6 boards per game in the playoffs, and could help slow down T.J. McConnell when he comes in off the bench. 

But the main benefit of starting Robinson is it allows the Knicks to have him on the floor at the end of halves, something that's difficult to manage if he's a reserve. In Game 2, Robinson played nearly 16 minutes straight between the first and second quarter, not an ideal arrangement for a player who missed 65 games in the regular season.

All of the Knicks starters are solid players, while Brunson and Towns are All-Stars. They just don't complement each other's talents ideally. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will need to show creativity and flexibility in a series where his team has to take four out of five games from Indiana to end their 26-year NBA Finals drought.