Knicks’ stout defense has chance to prove itself vs. Stephen Curry

SAN FRANCISCO — The Knicks impulsively juggernaut safety is taking the Stephen Curry check out.

Driving a stretch of 5 consecutive video video games holding teams to beneath 94 components — a stat that is further spectacular in proper now’s run-and-gun NBA — the Knicks will try and preserve stingy in the direction of not solely the best 3-point taking footage workforce throughout the Western Conference, nevertheless the excessive long-distance shooter in league historic previous.

Curry, already two seasons far from setting the all-time 3-point file, blasted the Knicks decrease than three weeks prior to now at MSG, dropping 31 components on eight treys with 11 boards.

He went off throughout the first quarter whereas developing the Warriors a 20-4 profit after merely seven minutes, and the Knicks in no way recovered of their blowout defeat.

Nonetheless that was moreover sooner than the Knicks, boosted by the return of OG Anunoby and a league-wide sample of referees allowing further contact given that All-Star break, began making use of clamps to the opposition. With Saturday’s 98-91 conquer the Kings, they turned the first workforce in six years to allow beneath 422 components in any five-game span.

And Anunoby, who’s 15-2 with the Knicks, understands he’ll be matched up with Curry in some unspecified time sooner or later Monday. That’s moreover assuming Curry, who returned from an ankle hurt to beat the Lakers on Saturday, is on the market.

“I’m constructive it’ll happen all through the game, cross change or in transition,” Anunoby acknowledged of guarding Curry. “So I’m ready for it.”

What’s it like attempting to stop a sniper who’s perpetually in motion?

“Merely head on a swivel, screens coming from everywhere,” Anunoby acknowledged. “Switches from on ball to off ball. You in no way can relax with him.”

Lately, the Knicks (40-27) have benefitted from their very personal mannequin of Curry in Jalen Brunson, who’s averaging 29.7 components since Jan. 27 — the fourth highest behind solely Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Far more spectacular, Brunson’s been cooking with out lots scoring help, which suggests defenses have thrown the house on the extent guard and nonetheless can’t cease his manufacturing.

He’s coming off consecutive video video games of scoring 43 p.c of the Knicks’ components.

Sacramento coach Mike Brown was flummoxed after Brunson dropped 42 on Saturday, coincidentally drawing comparisons to how he sport plans for Curry.

“Jalen, man he’s a helluva participant,” Brown acknowledged. “I don’t know if — Steph maybe — I don’t know if we blitzed anybody as lots as we did Jalen tonight. Tried to ship two at him and he nonetheless scored 42 components.”

Brunson and Curry are arguably the best two avid gamers throughout the NBA this season who’re beneath 6-foot-3. Barring a shocker, they’re every going to earn All-NBA honors — which is perhaps Curry’s tenth time nevertheless Brunson’s first.

No Knicks guard has earned All-NBA since Walt Frazier in 1975.

“I really feel he has an excellent to probability to get it, I really feel he deserves it,” Josh Hart acknowledged of his teammate. “He’s had the consistency, he’s had the durability that guys who’re in that place. I really feel that’s one factor he deserves. Media, hopeful they see that. And video video games like [against Sacramento] the place we’ve clearly guys in and out of the lineup and he’s been carrying us. Hopefully they acknowledge that. He’s any individual that deserves it, any individual who should get it.”

With Brunson and Curry comparably carrying their respective offenses this season, the huge distinction between the Knicks (40-27), seeded fourth throughout the Jap Conference, and the Warriors (35-31), ninth throughout the Western Conference, is Tom Thibodeau’s safety.

Its id, constructed spherical physicality and rebounding, has translated in March — and heading into Sunday’s video video games — to the NBA’s fewest components allowed, the slowest tempo, primarily essentially the most rebounds and the perfect defensive rating.

In direction of Curry, it’ll be harder to take care of that up.

“They’re good. There’s no means spherical it,” Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo acknowledged of his former workforce, the Warriors. “They beat good teams. They dealt with the hurt bug. They’ve dealt with guys in and out, Draymond [Green] being suspended. They’ve been by it and they also’re nonetheless throughout the race for the playoffs and the play-in.”