Knicks’ two-center lineup drawing praise from Tom Thibodeau

Mitchell Robinson served arsenic an impactful large assemblage and rim protector disconnected nan chair for nan Knicks successful nan playoffs past outpouring earlier suffering a season-ending ankle wounded precocious successful nan first information against nan 76ers.

It costs nan erstwhile starting halfway much than 4 months to commencement nan 2024-25 run aft undergoing room successful May, but nan 7-foot Robinson’s beingness fittingness contributions fig to beryllium needed again successful nan Knicks’ upcoming bid against nan Pistons, and their feisty and beingness bigs Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.

The 27-year-old Robinson logged 17.1 minutes per crippled successful 17 appearances pursuing his latest wounded absence.

He and imported starting halfway Karl-Anthony Towns played 47 minutes alongside each different successful a two-big alignment pinch immoderate success, outscoring opponents by 9.2 points per 100 possessions.

Duren and Stewart only played 8 minutes together each play for Detroit.

“It’s a mini sample size. But we’ve had immoderate bully minutes pinch them, peculiarly down nan agelong present arsenic Mitch has been capable to get much rhythm. It’s been good,” Tom Thibodeau said aft Tuesday’s practice. “It depends, a batch of it depends connected who they person connected nan floor, but I for illustration it a lot.”

Knicks large men Karl-Anthony Town (right) and Mitchell Robinson person started to summation a chemistry erstwhile they’re some connected nan tribunal together. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Much of nan Knicks’ protect attraction will beryllium connected containing All-Star constituent defender Cade Cunningham, but seasoned gunner Malik Beasley also connected connected a career-best 41.6 percent this play from 3-point land, including 7 made treys and 23 points Dec. 7 against nan Knicks.

“He’s ever been capable to shoot. I’ve seen it firsthand,” said Towns, a erstwhile teammate of Beasley pinch nan Timberwolves. “When he was pinch america successful Minnesota, I judge he collapsed nan 3-point scoring grounds and Anthony [Edwards] conscionable collapsed it now.

The Knicks will person to slow down Malik Beasley’s 3-point shooting prowess during their first information matchup vs.
the Pistons. NBAE via Getty Images

“I’ve ever known he’s a tremendous shooter, 1 of nan champion shooters this convention has to offer. And nan measurement he shoots, nan different types of 3s he shoots, conscionable proves his talent level.

“He’s a reliable defender obviously. We person personification I cognize well, person to decidedly find a measurement to limit his 3s.”