Knicks coach Mike Brown adjusted his starting lineup against the Celtics, going with the five that closed out Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Cavaliers.
Instead of coming off the bench, Miles McBride was a starter, replacing big man Ariel Hukporti.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby were the other starters in the 105-95 win at the Garden.
“Everyone on the floor is shooting it at a pretty high level and [with] range,” Brown said. “Everyone on the floor can make plays for themselves and their teammates. They all need to be monitored. And then a lot of interchangeable parts defensively, guys who are used to guarding the ball. They’re fast and all that. It gives your opponent a different look than a traditional large lineup.”
McBride had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes.
Brown said he made the change because of the Celtics’ small four-guard lineup.
“I wasn’t sure how fair it would be if Ariel and KAT were guarding one of those guards to start the game,” Brown said. “We feel like we are extremely versatile [can] play in many different ways.
Brown expects Mitchell Robinson to join the team on the upcoming road trip.
The 7-foot-1 center sat out the first two games with left ankle sprain. He also did not play in the final two games of the preseason. The Knicks continue to say they are just managing Robinson’s workload and that he is not injured.
The Knicks are awarding a Defensive Player of the Game this year.
On Friday it went to Jordan Clarkson. In his sixteen minutes, the Knicks defeated the Celtics by twelve points.
“Jordan ended up being our defensive player of the game because he was tickling us defensively at that time. But it could have been anyone,” Brown said. “Tyler [Kolek] ended the match with four or five deflections, if not more. Josh [Hart]man, a monster, monster, monster. Now Josh could have easily gotten it too. He guarded everyone.”
Anunoby left the game late in the fourth quarter with cramps and did not return. Brown said he could have played if he had to.
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