For 48 hours, everyone couldn't stop talking about those last crazy seconds of Game 2, about the timeout that nobody called, about the fouls the Knicks got away with, about a 104-101 loss that felt like a robbery. But hey, the NBA finally admitted Maxey got fouled, and Nurse did want a timeout, so maybe the Sixers aren't crazy after all. Good job, guys. Only four more wins to go, not whines. Oops.
But let's not miss the real point here, buried under all the noise about wedgies and missed calls. Game 2 is done. It's history. What matters now for the Sixers, down 0-2, is figuring out how to beat the Knicks.
That wild ending to Game 2 was playoff basketball at its best. It showed the Knicks' toughness and strategy, how they took the game from the Sixers instead of waiting for them to slip up. Remember Maxey's turnover, DiVincenzo's miss, Hartenstein's rebound? That was the Knicks in control. And all the Sixers' complaints about the refs? Just distractions. The Knicks played tough, just like the Legion of Boom did, knowing the refs won't call everything. Play with an edge, gain an edge.
Brunson and Hart took a risk by going after Maxey, and it paid off. They knew the NBA is calling fewer fouls, especially since midseason. The Sixers need to adjust to this new reality, especially in the playoffs.
Since February, free-throw attempts and total points per game have been dropping, meaning refs are letting players play more. The Knicks are perfect for this style, tough and aggressive. Thibodeau's team is built for this, and their reputation helps them get the benefit of the doubt from the refs. So, when there's a close call, the Knicks usually come out on top.
Nurse wants consistency from the refs, calling the same fouls for both teams. It's physical, it's the playoffs, and the Sixers need to step up and prove they can handle it.
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