“Just keep shooting. Keep trusting my work.” - McBride, going into Game 1 Run it back! Brand new series, and I’ve got Deuce McBride circled as an X-Factor. As the sixth man off the bench, he struggled against Detroit’s physicality, shooting just 29% from the field over six games and clearly losing confidence by the end, getting to the point of passing layups over harder baskets. But with new matchups and a change of scenery, everything, both mentally and physically, can shift. Despite the rough showing, McBride still offers a valuable two-way impact with his 6’9” wingspan, which will be especially important against a high-powered Celtics team. The Knicks ranked dead last in 3PA per 100 possessions among all playoff teams during the regular season. New York needs players willing to fire against a Celtics squad that leads the league in 3PA. According to PBP Stats, the Knicks were -7.79 points per 100 possessions without Deuce on the floor (across 1,593 minutes). If he rediscovers his outside shot, it unlocks 5-out spacing off the bench—forcing Porzingis to defend the perimeter instead of camping in drop coverage. And with Game 1 often serving as a feel-out spot + blowout potential on the road, McBride could see extended run in a looser rotation.