Midway Through 3rd
- 5: Joakim Noah
- 4: Kristaps Porzingis
- 3: Lance Thomas
- 2: Derrick Rose / Courtney Lee
- 1: Brandon Jennings
Obviously – unless Hornacek is out of his mind – the starters will begin the second half. The tradition first substitution should be expected near the tradition halfway point of the third quarter.
Here’s where Hornacek might split up Porzingis and Melo.
Look for the Knicks to take advantage of a smaller lineup in the third quarter by resting Melo and shifting KP to the center spot.
End 3rd, Start-Mid 4th
- 5: Willy Hernangomez / Kyle O’Quinn / Marshall Plumlee
- 4: Lance Thomas / Mindaugas Kuzminskas
- 3: Carmelo Anthony / Courtney Lee
- 2: Justin Holiday / Sasha Vujacic
- 1: Brandon Jennings
While this time isn’t solely reserved for the second unit, it’s a critical juncture that sees bench players provide the crunch time guys with one last blow.
This is the time the hot player off the bench collects his extra minutes. The rotation at this point could literally be anybody or anything.
Melo would traditionally come back in around the eight or nine minute mark for the duration of the contest.
