Knicks' team-oriented approach takes them to NBA Finals

Some of this was due to the extended amount of garbage time in the blowout win, but remarkably, 11 different Knicks had assists in a closeout game.

That's how the Knicks shot over 50 percent for a series featuring Jarrett Allen and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks installed a new motion-heavy, pass-heavy offense. Players bought in, with the prime example being Karl-
Anthony Towns (19 points, 14 rebounds in Game 4), who only averaged 15.8 points but shot 54 percent and grabbed 12 boards, and gave out four assists for the series, and still stayed aggressive.

New York Knicks were opportunistic in Game 4

The passing and teamwork stood out for the Knicks in the conference finals, just as they did versus the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers in previous rounds. But they also simply out-hustled the Cavaliers in Game 4, even in a game that was a must-win for Cleveland and a nice-to-win-but-no-big-rush for New York.

In the first half, the Cavaliers scored three points in transition. The Knicks scored 26. The Knicks simply outran their opponents throughout the game, scoring on fast breaks off of rebounds and even making baskets, getting free points just by running hard.

The combination of hustle, sharing the ball and relentless perimeter defense from the trio of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart is making the Knicks a very difficult team to beat. No matter which powerhouse emerges from the Western Conference, the Knicks have to feel confident after playing like champions for 11 straight games.