Mike Brown’s one lineup adjustment might have saved Knicks’ season

The New York Knicks broke their four-game losing streak on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers in a thrilling back-and-forth affair. 

While Mike Brown's team was down for much of the first half, the Knicks found their elite offensive form down the stretch en route to a comfortable 123-111 victory. It might not be obvious in the box score, but there was one move that Brown made that was critical. The longtime head coach now has to take in the data point as the Knicks look to cover their fatal flaws. 

Mike Brown's decision to start Miles McBride gave Knicks a necessary energy boost

The Knicks have noticeably fallen off a defensive cliff since their NBA Cup championship win over the San Antonio Spurs. New York has allowed over 120 points per game in the 12 games since, struggling significantly on this end when Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have been on the floor.

This All-Star combo has posted a defensive rating of 135.0 and a net rating of -18.2 during this time. There's only one way the Knicks can effectively hide Brunson and Towns' flaws on this end: with aggressive on-ball defenders who can fight over screens. 

That is why Miles McBride needs to start until at least Josh Hart returns to action. The 25-year-old might be undersized, but his willingness to play through contact when defending opposing players brought an intensity the Knicks starting lineup desperately needed.

McBride recorded 16 points and four assists in the win over the Clippers while containing James Harden to 23 points and nine assists. This adjustment from Brown additionally allowed Mitchell Robinson to come off the bench, where he has been at his best this season.

Mike Brown will have to stagger Miles McBride's minutes with various Knicks stars  

Brown will likely continue to meddle with lineups over the coming months before deciding his playoff rotation. However, McBride has been a significant net positive when on the floor with any usual Knicks starters, as well as Mitchell Robinson. 

The fifth-year guard is earning himself more minutes. The question is, who will take a back seat when this roster is fully healthy? One lineup Brown should experiment with in the coming weeks is McBride alongside Brunson, Hart, OG Anunoby and Towns. Based on the very limited data from this group, this could be an end-of-game lineup Brown can turn to consistently.