Best 3-point shooter in Knicks history over a season, with 283 successes, Donte DiVincenzo had a mixed first round against the Sixers. It was in fact generally clumsy and very irregular, with a Game 6 at 23 points which saved his overall performance a little. However, he mainly had to work on defense, since he took care of Tyrese Maxey.
Certainly the Philadelphia playmaker scored a lot (29.8 points on average) but he missed Game 6, limited to 17 points at 6/18 shooting. Largely thanks or because of Donte DiVincenzo.
For this second round, the name changes – Tyrese still, but Haliburton this time – but the challenge remains the same: limit an All-Star as much as possible. “It will be important. Donte will have to be solid defensively”, ad Josh Hart. “When Tyrese accelerates, he's a powerhouse of his own. »
Turning off the Pacers engine
An engine that has not been running at full speed for some time. In the playoffs, for his first career series, Tyrese Haliburton was hampered by the Bucks' defense, being clumsy at 3-points and with only one game over 20 points. But it's impossible to ignore him. “He’s a hell of a player. It's an attack all on its own. He can play with the ball obviously, but also without the ball”comments Tom Thibodeau.
And as with every defensive challenge, Donte DiVincenzo's work will mainly be a first layer. The second being collective.
“It is above all a question of surpassing them collectively, of limiting them. We can't take anything away from him, he's not an All-Star by chance.”assures the New York shooter. “You don't go into a match saying you're going to shut down X or Y. They're too strong for that. You just have to slow them down. »
With Pascal Siakam or Myles Turner, the Pacers have other weapons to score points. But blocking the playmaker makes your life easier. “It’s going to be a battle. No matter what Tyrese wants to do, if we fight hard enough, it's going to hinder him.”summarizes Donte DiVincenzo.
