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New York Knicks: Players Who Must Step Up Against Indiana Pacers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:09 p.m. ET

Fansided, Maxwell Ogden/FanSided via Daily Knicks

The New York Knicks will look to snap a three-game losing streak against the rival Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, December 20. Who must step up?

December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrates with head coach Jeff Hornacek the 118-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

There are few rivalries more riveting in NBA history than the bitter feud between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. Though fairly recent, the Knicks and Pacers have met in a number of postseason series.

Though it will only be a regular season game on Tuesday, December 20, one can expect a postseason atmosphere.

New York will host Indiana at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, December 20. It will be a rivalry renewed, but also an opportunity for two teams in need of a win to secure a victory that could stabilize their respective seasons.

Neither is suffering, but both are potentially elite Eastern Conference juggernauts that have struggled to develop chemistry with new-look rosters early in 2016-17.

The Knicks are 14-13 through 27 games, while the Pacers are 15-14 through 29 of their own. That puts the two rivals on virtually equal terms, which makes this game even more significant for the two contending hopefuls.

The question is: which players must step up in order for the New York Knicks to defeat the Indiana Pacers?

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

5. Justin Holiday

Position: Guard/Forward
Games Played: 27 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .420/.371/.833
2016-17 Season Averages: 19.0 MPG, 6.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.0 3PM

This is the type of game that Justin Holiday could make or break for the New York Knicks. That’s a heavy burden for a player who comes off the bench, but Holiday’s role projects to be immense against the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana has built a roster with a significant amount of perimeter depth, which means New York’s backup players will be as important as the starters.

In the case of Holiday, his role will be to defend both the star-caliber wings and the dynamic reserves. He’ll spend time defending Paul George, but he’ll likely play most of his possessions against C.J. Miles.

Miles may not be an all-around player of George’s caliber, but he’s an outstanding 3-point shooter who’s good for consistent double-digit scoring outings.

Holiday doesn’t need to score an explosive amount of points, but he must play Miles close when they’re on the floor together. Sticking to his man and not allowing separation for open 3-point shots could be the key to the outcome of the game.

Miles is currently averaging 11.3 points and 2.1 3-point field goals made per game on 42.2 percent shooting from distance, which inevitably makes defending him a critical issue.

December 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Joakim Noah

Position: Center
Games Played: 23 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .464/.000/.306
2016-17 Season Averages: 21.2 MPG, 4.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG

The Indiana Pacers haven’t exactly dominated the paint, the boards, or the pick and roll early in 2016-17. Nevertheless, the New York Knicks are going to need Joakim Noah to establish an interior advantage against the small-ball Pacers.

New York is capable of going small itself, but an ideal way to overwhelm the Pacers’ budding frontcourt is to make it play to its disadvantages.

Paul George, Thaddeus Young, and Myles Turner will all be featured on the offensive end of the floor. George is an all-around scoring threat, while Young is a dynamic slasher and Turner is a skilled big man who can space the floor.

Kristaps Porzingis will likely spend time defending Turner due to Young’s status as a limited shooter, but Noah will need to step up in either capacity.

In addition to defending at a high level, Noah must continue to thrive as the Knicks’ most productive offensive rebounder—see: a team-high 3.0 per game. Indiana, meanwhile, is averaging nearly 12 offensive rebounds per game.

With Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn emerging as threats to his starting role, this is the perfect opportunity for Noah to reaffirm his starter status.

December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Derrick Rose

Position: Point Guard
Games Played: 23 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .456/.235/.838
2016-17 Season Averages: 31.0 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, 4.0 RPG, 0.7 SPG

The New York Knicks have been suffering from the absence of starting point guard Derrick Rose. Whether or not you believe he can be a star again, Rose is still one of the best and most efficient slashers in the NBA.

Thankfully, Rose is confident that he’ll be able to return from recent back issues when New York hosts the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, December 20.

If healthy and available, Rose will battle one of the more athletic point guards in the NBA: Jeff Teague. Teague isn’t exactly 2011 Rose explosive, but his end-to-end speed and agility when coming around the pick and roll can be matched by few.

One of the few players who can match and exceed it is Rose, which is why his presence has become so crucial to the Knicks’ success.

With or without Teague on the court, Rose adds the invaluable element of dribble penetration to New York’s offense. Brandon Jennings is more than capable of driving and finishing, but Rose’s power provides a different type of threat.

New York runs a far more fluent offensive attack when the potential for a slashing finish is present, which is why Phil Jackson traded for Rose in the first place.

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks center Kirstaps Porzingis (6) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kristaps Porzingis

Position: Power Forward
Games Played: 27 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .451/.384/.786
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 20.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 3PM

Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns may be garnering headlines, but the 2015 NBA Draft is ushering in the new dawn of the big man. Position roles have changed, but there are a number of young interior players who could be just as dynamic as Porzingis.

One of the underrated players whom Porzingis will be competing with for a spot atop the NBA’s hierarchy is Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

Porzingis and Turner play different positions, but both project to play big minutes against one another on Tuesday. The New York Knicks could shift Porzingis to the 5 in an attempt to match Indiana’s small-ball tendencies.

In that same breath, Turner is capable of switching to the 4 if Al Jefferson is brought in off the bench to play center.

Both Porzingis and Turner are becoming dominant shot-blockers and lethal shooters who can space the floor. They’re both athletic, in possession of stunning physical gifts, and hungry for success that the masses believed they’d fall short of achieving.

Porzingis needs to be prepared for a motivated Turner, who’s already averaging 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.

Dec 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carmelo Anthony

Position: Small Forward
Games Played: 26 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .429/.336/.866
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.2 MPG, 22.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.9 3PM

The New York Knicks have a unique individual in star small forward Carmelo Anthony. There aren’t many players who can create offense from any spot on the floor, but Anthony is that special breed who can’t be put in a box.

Anthony has been struggling to get comfortable with his new role in New York, but he remains one of the most dynamic scorers in NBA history.

Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers will be the perfect platform for Anthony to truly break out in 2016-17. He’ll square off against a fellow All-NBA small forward in Paul George and face the challenge of proving he’s still elite.

If Anthony is able to prove as much against the Pacers, then the Knicks should be able to secure a victory over their bitter rivals.

Anthony is coming off of a game during which he scored 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting, which creates positive momentum. George, however, has scored at least 26 points in back-to-back games and only seems to be getting more confident.

In other words: Madison Square Garden could be in for a clash of the Eastern Conference titans when Anthony and George go toe-to-toe on Tuesday.

For the Knicks to win, Anthony must reestablish his place as one of the best players in the NBA.