Knicks must find way to combat Pistons’ effective Jalen Duren plan

DETROIT — Playoff series are often like chess matches, with both coaches trying to combat or adjust to what the other is doing.

One decision by Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has quickly exposed a Knicks weakness so far.

Bickerstaff has opted to have center Jalen Duren guard Josh Hart on defense rather than Karl-Anthony Towns.

In turn, he’s had Tobias Harris, a wing listed at 6-foot-8, guard Towns.

That has allowed Duren to camp in the paint and protect the rim or act as a floating help defender, often doubling Jalen Brunson and Towns when they have the ball.

“When they do that, it’s different,” Brunson said. “It doesn’t matter who’s on who. We’ve just got to attack what we see is an advantage for us.