New York Knicks: 3 reasons why NY could win a first-round playoff series

Why the New York Knicks could be a factor in the playoffs: Defense wins in the postseason

One of the biggest reasons why the Knicks have made the jump to relevance this season in the East has been due to their defensive prowess. Last season, the Knicks finished the regular season with the 23rd ranked defensive rating. This year, New York has the fourth-best defensive unit.

In the NBA playoffs, an elite defense can take you a long way. And while the Knicks will need to prove that they can be consistent on the offensive end to win a seven-game series, their defense will always keep them in games and will certainly be a weapon against any opponent that they face.

New York is in a position where they can make the playoffs because of their defense. It would be foolish to think that their hard work on that end of the floor all season long will simply let them down in the postseason. It usually never works that way.