Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau took concern with the evident free-throw discrepancy Monday night time after the Pistons evened the first-round playoff sequence with a 100-94 win.
Thibodeau was requested about Jalen Brunson’s 37-point effort when he switched gears and sounded off on the way in which the sport was known as.
“Obviously, huge discrepancy in free throws. Huge. I gotta take a look at that, alright?” Thibodeau stated. “So … I don’t understand how on one side you talk about direct line drives, the guys get fouled and it’s not being called, right? And look, I really don’t give a crap how they call the game as long as it’s consistent on both sides. So [Cade] Cunningham’s driving and there’s marginal contact and he’s getting to the line. Then Jalen [Brunson] deserves to be getting to the line, it’s really that simple.”
The primary of a number of rounds of “refs you suck” chants began when Cunningham stepped to the free-throw line on the 5:06 mark within the second quarter.
The boos and expressions of disgust solely continued as the sport wore on.
The Pistons went 13 of 14 from the road within the first half, whereas the Knicks waited till the tip of the second quarter to take their first journey to the charity stripe.
Cunningham’s six free-throw makes an attempt have been 3 times greater than the Knicks’ crew whole within the first half.
Observe The Submit’s protection of the Knicks within the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Sports activities+ subscribers: Join Contained in the Knicks to get every day publication protection and be a part of Professional Take for insider texts in regards to the sequence.
Followers let loose extra frustration when Brunson was whistled for a clear-path foul within the third quarter.
Regardless of Cunningham connecting with Ausar Thompson for an alley-oop layup, the basket was waved off and Thompson went to the free throw line for 2 makes an attempt.
Thompson missed each, however the Pistons obtained the ball again and Cunningham made good on the extra possession with a basket that ballooned Detroit’s result in 11.
By night time’s finish, the Pistons took 15 extra free-throw makes an attempt than the Knicks and scored 28 factors from the charity stripe to New York’s 16.
The Knicks took 11 of their 19 free-throw makes an attempt within the fourth quarter.
Thibodeau didn’t imagine the way in which the sport was being officiated impacted his crew’s play.
“That’s part of our league,” he stated. “You make your point, move on. Try to do it during the dead ball.”
