Knicks’ free-throw woes in playoffs have cost points they ‘can’t give up’

The Knicks admittedly have been leaving too many points at the free-throw line during the postseason.

Of the eight teams remaining in the NBA playoffs, the Knicks have the lowest percentage, 72.9, from the stripe, including 33-for-50 (66 percent) in their split of the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Heat.

That ranks 14th among the 16 participants in the tournament.

“Obviously, you want to get to the line first and foremost. I think we’re doing a good job with that,” said Josh Hart, who has a .688 free-throw percentage through seven postseason games. “Now we’ve got to knock down those free throws. Got to make sure we’re confident, make sure we’re locked in. Those are free points on the board that we can’t give up.”

Much of the Knicks’ poor numbers in that area have come from starting center Mitchell Robinson, who has missed 14 of 21 free-throw attempts in the playoffs entering Game 3 on Saturday in Miami.

Coach Tom Thibodeau countered that the Knicks also are getting to the line 25.3 times per game, the most among teams that are still playing and third overall in this year’s playoffs, behind the eliminated Clippers and Kings.

“It’s attacking the rim. It’s one of the things I think we do well. Regular season we did it well, we’re doing it well in the playoffs,” Thibodeau said. “Obviously you always feel like you could do better [percentage-wise]. Getting there’s probably the most [important thing].”

Thibodeau said point guard Jalen Brunson “didn’t do much” in practice Thursday.

Brunson is considered “day-to-day” after he played through a sore right ankle in Game 2, scoring a team-high 30 points.

Robinson finished fourth for the NBA’s Hustle Award, behind three-time winner Marcus Smart of the Celtics, Draymond Green (Warriors) and Aaron Nesmith (Pacers).

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The award is based on NBA.com-tracked “hustle stats,” such as deflections, contested shots, box-outs, loose balls recovered and charges drawn. Robinson was the only center among the top five.

“It’s great. I’m glad he’s being recognized,” Thibodeau said. “Congratulations to Marcus, great competitor. Mitch, I think, continues to grow. I think his rebounding has been a huge factor for our team, the rim protection, anchoring the defense, all those things.

“So I think it’s also a by-product of the team winning. That’s important. That’s a big part of that.”