The New York Knicks have dug themselves into an enormous hole in the Eastern Conference Finals, and Josh Hart has one suggestion he believes could help get them out of it.
The Knicks now trail 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals after losing to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. Following the 114-109 loss, Hart said he believes New York needs big man Mitchell Robinson on the floor more in the series going forward.
“We have to figure out ways … I think he played [29] minutes … figure out ways if he can play more,” Hart told reporters, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “We’re great with him on [the floor]. We all got to be willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team.”
Hart is right that the Knicks have been better against the Pacers with Robinson on the floor. Through two games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks are +6 when Robinson is on the floor and -14 when the 7-foot center is on the bench. Hart feels that it is not a coincidence.
Robinson played 29 minutes in Game 2, which was the most he has played in any postseason game this year. He finished with six points and a game-high nine rebounds. The Knicks were trailing by 10 when Robinson first entered the game in the first quarter and then immediately went on a 10-0 run, so his impact was obvious.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has only rotated eight players in the series. The team does not have a deep bench, but some people feel Robinson should be inserted into the starting lineup for Game 3. Thibodeau did not rule it out and said on Friday night that the Knicks will “always look at everything.”
The big issue with Robinson is that he is a horrific free-throw shooter. We have seen some truly mind-blowing misses from him at the line during the playoffs. Robinson has made just 38.5 percent of his free throws in 14 postseason games.
The free-throw shooting makes Robinson a liability, especially late in games. But after a historic collapse in Game 1 and another home loss in Game 2, the Knicks may have no choice but to try something new.
