BOSTON — As the Knicks starters — specifically their wings — carry a heavier minutes load than the NBA norm, coach Tom Thibodeau explained his distribution as a product of the roster, his player thresholds and the franchise’s end goals.
It’s again the hot-button topic with Thibodeau, who has always eschewed load management while elevating his teams to regular-season heights above expectations.
But he’s also now facing pressure to win at least two playoff rounds — a feat Thibs hasn’t accomplished since 2011.
“We’ve got to [have lineups that are] strong on both sides of the ball, and then, ‘Can your guys handle minutes?’ ” Thibodeau said. “There’s different minutes in the course of the game. If you look at Jalen [Brunson] and [Karl-Anthony Towns], their minutes are what other the main players are.
“The wings are different. OG [Anunoby] is at 36 [minutes]. Mikal [Bridges] is the highest, and Josh [Hart’s] are high as well. Both of those guys can handle minutes, and they want the minutes. If they can handle the minutes, give it to them. If they can’t, cut it back.”
The minutes subject was brought up Friday night in the context of facing the Cavaliers, who have a deeper roster that Kenny Atkinson is taking full advantage of.
Just two Cleveland players — Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell — average more than 30 minutes. None average more than 31.2.
By contrast, all the Knicks starters average at least 34.9 minutes.
Three of them — Brunson, Hart and Bridges — were in the top four in total minutes played heading into Saturday’s game.
As Thibodeau noted, the average minutes for Brunson (35.1) and Towns (34.9) are in line with other All-Stars.
“I think every team is different,” Thibodeau said. “If you have young guys or if your depth is different, you do [play with a deeper rotation]. I think you always begin with the end [the playoffs] in mind — what are you going to need in the end?
“There are different schools of thought on that. The [Cavs] are running their race, we’re going to run our race and every team is different. So there’s a lot of different ways to do it — what fits your team best? And along with that, you have to win games as you go along.”
The disparate philosophies are apparent at the top of the NBA.
The Cavs (46-10) and Thunder (45-10) roll with a deep rotation.
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The Knicks (37-19) and Celtics (40-16), who face off Sunday afternoon in Boston, lean heavier on their starters.
Still, New York is in a separate class with the lowest bench production in the NBA — a place it has occupied all season.
That issue wasn’t addressed at the trade deadline, with the front office choosing to stand pat while banking on a boost from Mitchell Robinson’s eventual return.
As Thibodeau hinted by asking, ”What are you going to need at the end,” rotations are typically tightened in the playoffs for every team. But the Knicks also have to hit the playoffs healthy — a goal that seems to be getting dicier with each injury report — while the coach does what he believes the roster dictates.
“Whatever the strengths of the club are,” Thibodeau said. “You want to give your team the best chance to win.”