New York Knicks continue to rise in the NBA Power Rankings

On By Pranco

The New York Knicks suffered a tough 121-106 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday, but not without the team capping off an overall strong week of basketball. The team went 3-1, snapping a three-game home winning streak before embarking on a five-game road trip. NBA.com’s John Schuhmann has rewarded the Knicks in the latest power rankings.

New York was 13th in the NBA power rankings last week, sitting at 7-6. However, during a 2-1 stretch from Monday through Sunday, the Knicks’ offense got even better as the team averaged 123.22 points per 100 possessions this season. The team is still outside the top 10 in the power rankings due to its mediocre defense.

“The Knicks continue to be carried by the league’s No. 2 offense, scoring a whopping 131.8 points per 100 possessions during the winning streak, including two of the nine most efficient performances for any team this season,” Schuhmann wrote. “They shot 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the line in both of their wins early last week.”

The offense cooled off Saturday as the Knicks allowed the Jazz to shoot 19-for-34 (56%) from three-point range. New York is now one of three teams ranked in the bottom six in both opponents’ three-point range. percentage (37.5%, 25th) and the percentage of their opponents’ shots that come from 3-point range (45.6%, second highest).

The Knicks are currently ranked second in offensive rating (122.4) behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, the defense was terribleranking 23rd in that rating (115.8). That has held them back and let them down seventh in net rating (+6.6).

After a 145-118 win over the Denver Nuggets last night, New York will meet the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow to advance to the final two games of their five-game road trip. The final game will be against the Charlotte Hornets (NBA Cup game) before the Knicks head home for a Sunday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans to wrap up week six.

If the Knicks can end the week with another winning record, they should have a resume good enough to move into the top 10. The team is 1-2 against Western Conference teams this season, so the next few games could be a big challenge.

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