Knicks Considering Starting Mitchell Robinson For Josh Hart In Game 3

[RealGM Wiretap]

New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is considering a lineup change in the wake of his team falling down 0-2 to the Indiana Pacers. Thibodeau is looking at starting Mitchell Robinson in place of Josh Hart in a change to one of the consistent starting groups in the NBA.

In each game this season where they've all been available to play, the Knicks have started Hart alongside Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. However, with New York trailing 0-2 as the series shifts to Indiana, Thibodeau is looking for ways to spark his team.

Starting Robinson would give the Knicks more size in the opening lineup. He's been terrific defensively throughout the playoffs, holding up in rim protection, as well as on switches on the perimeter. Robinson also does a good job creating extra possessions with his offensive rebounding.

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

[beefymajesto]

Love it, was thinking the same which might mean it's wrong but try to outsize those pesky pacers.

[Barcs]

I've been saying this since last season. Mitch should be starting. Josh Hart on the bench would give them some much needed production as well. It generally makes sense to give the guy whose got the best plus/minus a bigger role. Plus if you play him early in the quarters you don't have to worry about hack-a-mitch.

[Cassius]

Call me a Raptors homer, but it’s not the start of the game that’s the problem IMO, even if the Knicks start slow… it’s the “dog minutes” during every quarter from 6:00 to 3:00 when guys like Toppin and Nembhard make hustle/glue1guy plays that the Knicks rotation guys are just too tired or ill-suited to make.

A few minutes a quarter from Precious Achiuwa during the Toppin minutes, and a few Delon Wright minutes to put length on Nembhard and Haliburton, could be enough to swing the 4-8 points that are deciding every game. Carlisle used Ben Sheppard and Tony Bradley similarly in game 2.