Knicks can’t replicate offensive rebounding success towards Warmth in Recreation 1 loss
One of many starkest benefits within the first spherical of the playoffs for the Knicks was a domination on the offensive glass by Mitchell Robinson and his teammates.
Consequently, the Knicks averaged 18.2 second-chance factors per sport of their five-game elimination towards the Cavaliers and their main large males Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
That quantity dropped to 11 in Sunday’s second-round opener towards All-Star middle Bam Adebayo and the Warmth, nonetheless, with the Knicks’ securing solely 12 offensive rebounds — and 5 by Robinson in 31 minutes — in a 108-101 loss at the Garden.
“They play two totally different roles, two totally different kinds of play,” mentioned Robinson, who had a whopping 11 offensive boards in Recreation 5 in Cleveland. “Bam brings it up, Jarrett didn’t. So that you gotta pay attention to that. Simply gotta get again to the movie and study.”
The 7-footer additionally appeared to endure a tough fall within the first half, touchdown on his hip. He acknowledged afterward that he’s “very” banged up and required “some remedy,” earlier than including “I’m gonna be alright” for Recreation 2.
The Knicks did maintain a 48-39 total rebounding edge in Recreation 1, with Robinson snaring a game-high 14 rebounds.
Robinson, backup middle Isaiah Hartenstein and Josh Hart tried to crash the offensive glass extra within the second half, however they couldn’t corral many rebounds, main to 3 lengthy outlet passes from Kevin Like to Butler for straightforward baskets.
Observe The Publish’s protection of the Knicks vs. Warmth NBA playoff collection
“Boardman will get paid; it’s not that simple to maintain that 7-1 off the glass, 270 [pounds] no matter he’s,” Love mentioned, referring to Robinson. “However I feel we despatched our bodies at him, and different guys clear up, or myself, when Bam’s on him. Yeah, I feel that’s a part of it.
“However sport plan? I don’t know. We definitely need to get simple triggers, simple buckets, buckets in transition if we are able to. However, you recognize, we felt like that simply labored for us. We’ll see what occurs.”
Obi Toppin, who completed with eight rebounds, mentioned that permitting Love’s outlet passes was “positively miscommunication” by the Knicks.
“We will’t enable these free buckets,” Toppin mentioned, “so we’re gonna repair that.”