Five important keys to watch as Knicks gear up for critical final stretch of season

With essentially one-third of the regular season remaining, the Knicks are in position to secure a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference for the second consecutive year.They will resume after the All-Star break Thursday night at the Garden against the Bulls with a 36-18 record, and with the potential of adding two key injured pieces — Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby — in the coming games.Still, everything that happens comes with the understanding that the stated goal is to advance deeper into the postseason following back-to-back eliminations in the second round the past two springs.Here are five keys to watch as the Knicks continue to chase Cleveland and Boston in the Eastern Conference:The Knicks have been waiting all season for the return of Robinson as an inside defensive presence and a weapon on the offensive glass, and the former starting center is expected back from ankle surgery shortly after the break.The Knicks actually went 4-1 in the five games Anunoby missed after suffering a sprained right foot Feb.1 against the Lakers, but their winning percentage with the invaluable two-way forward in the lineup over his two seasons with the team — including last year’s playoffs — is an astonishing .753 (58-19).Only the Bucks (.524 opponents winning percentage) have a tougher remaining schedule in the East than the Knicks’ figure of .519, according to Tankathon.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Their final 28 games feature three matchups against the top-ranked Cavaliers and two more against the reigning champion Celtics.

That is significant because they are 0-3 against those teams already this season, and winless in five games overall against them and the West-leading Thunder.Those ar...