Knicks Face Elimination: Defensive Struggles with Brunson, Towns

The New York Knicks are facing a do-or-die situation in their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, trailing 3-1. While offensive firepower has never been a question for the Knicks, their defensive woes, particularly when Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns share the court, have been a significant factor in their struggles.

Opposing teams have been consistently targeting the Brunson-Towns pairing, exploiting perceived defensive weaknesses. Pick-and-roll plays and isolation matchups have proven effective in creating open looks and easy baskets for the Pacers. The Knicks' inability to effectively rotate and provide help defense has further compounded the problem.

"We need to be better defensively, plain and simple," stated Coach Miller after the Game 4 loss. "We're giving up too many easy points, and we need to find a way to tighten things up, especially when Jalen and Karl-Anthony are out there."

To avoid elimination, the Knicks must address their defensive vulnerabilities. This could involve adjusting their defensive schemes, improving communication on the court, or making strategic substitutions to better balance offensive and defensive capabilities. The pressure is on for the Knicks to find a solution before it's too late.