But under coach Mike Brown this season, New York has leaned on its bench more than it ever did with Thibodeau. That's especially true in this playoff run, which is headed back to MSG for Monday's Game 3 of the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Up and down the Knicks bench is evidence of a pie being divided more evenly: Beyond Shamet's contributions, guard Miles McBride has averaged career highs in minutes, scoring and 3-point percentage. Big man Mitchell Robinson has stayed upright after being carefully managed all season and is now being deployed against Victor Wembanyama in clutch time. Guard Jose Alvarado, a trade deadline acquisition, has provided his usual defensive annoyance and energy. "Everybody understands what our standard is," Brown said in December. "It's about sacrifice."

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Guard Jose Alvarado, a trade deadline acquisition, has …