It didn’t end up mattering in a blowout, but it’s something worth monitoring going forward.
Nick Nurse pretty much forced the Knicks to play Ariel Hukporti during their 137-98 bludgeoning of the 76ers in Game 1 Monday night at Madison Square Garden. It’s something that could actually play a factor in a closer game if Mitchell Robinson’s free-throw woes continue.
Robinson checked in for Karl-Anthony Towns earlier than usual in the first quarter, since Towns picked up two early fouls.
And, knowing the Knicks didn’t want to put Towns back in the game, Nurse opted for Hack-a-Robinson.
Robinson went 0-for-4 from the line, pretty much the only thing that temporarily slowed down the Knicks offense. With no other option, coach Mike Brown took him out for Hukporti.
Hack-a-Robinson is something the Hawks at times utilized in the first round to limit Robinson’s impact and slow down the Knicks offense. He is just 5-for-17 from the line this postseason.
Some of the Hack-a-Robinson could be mitigated if Towns stays out of foul trouble and is a viable option to check back in. That’s something that could dissuade Nurse from using the strategy.
“We can’t expect them to go to the free-throw line 34 times and for us to get a win like we did,” Brown said. “We have to be better.”
The 76ers’ grand plan to keep Knicks fans away from Xfinity Mobile Arena is so far failing.
For their Eastern Conference semifinal series’ first game in Philadelphia, 56 percent of ticket purchases on secondary markets for Game 3 have a ZIP code from New York or New Jersey, according to TickPick.
Only 15 percent came from Pennsylvania.
The 76ers previously announced that they were limiting their ticket sales to residents in the Philadelphia area. That does not limit people outside that area from purchasing tickets on the secondary market or through other means, though.
“One thing I know about Philly fans is they’re very passionate,” Jalen Brunson said after Game 1.
“One thing about Knicks fans is they’re very passionate as well. I think the real fans from both teams are gonna show up and support.”
Landry Shamet continued to ride the bench, only seeing action in garbage time. He’s been out of the rotation since Game 3 of the first round.
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