The Knicks have spotted the 76ers the first nine points and double-digit first-half leads in each of the first two games of their first-round playoff series.
Even after Tom Thibodeau’s squad surged back in both games to grab a 2-0 lead, Josh Hart understands the importance of a better start in Game 3 on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
“We know they’re going to bring their best shot. We’ve got to try to punk first,” Hart said Wednesday.
Joel Embiid scored all of the Sixers’ points in their 9-0 burst to open Game 1, and Tyrese Maxey did so one game later.
“We think we’re capable of playing a lot better. You have to play for 48 minutes,” Thibodeau said. “There’s gonna be ebbs and flows to the game. … The bottom line is find a way to win.”
Thibodeau said everyone was healthy entering Game 3 — aside from Julius Randle, obviously — but Mitchell Robinson is back on the injury report as questionable for “left ankle management.”
He played 30 minutes in Game 1, including the entire fourth quarter, but just 18 minutes in Game 2.
Precious Achiuwa likely would see his first action of the series if Robinson is unable to play Thursday.
Coach Nick Nurse and the Sixers didn’t lament the league’s admission in its Last Two Minute report that Maxey was fouled by both Hart and Jalen Brunson late in Game 2, and the referees also denied them a timeout during the Knicks’ frenetic finish.
“Clock hit midnight and I moved on,” Nurse told reporters Wednesday.
Maxey said the findings gave the Sixers “reassurance,” but he said “we gotta let it go.”
“It is what it is, we’re down 2-0 — if we dwell on it, we’re going to be down 3-0,” Maxey said.
Thibodeau, on the Sixers’ grievance over the officiating: “I’m locked into Game 3. We don’t get sidetracked with that stuff. … I watch the whole game, not two minutes’ worth.”
Hart joked that no one on the court “harasses the refs” as much as he does, but he noted the Knicks and every other team have “been on both sides of” missed calls.
“When you’re in that position, there’s not a computer that’s telling the refs it’s a foul,” Hart said. “At that point it’s up to the refs’ discretion. So, fortunately, for us, they didn’t call a foul.”
Following OG Anunoby’s two free throws with 6.1 seconds left in Game 2, the Knicks elected to not foul with a three-point lead.
Maxey brought up the ball and passed to Embiid, whose 3-point attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.
“You just gotta be careful,” Thibodeau said. “If he’s facing the basket, it can be a heave, and they can call fouls. So there are certain situations.”
Sixers guard De’Anthony Melton, who has appeared in just two games since Feb. 27 due to a back injury, said Wednesday that he hopes to be available for Game 3.
He has been listed as questionable, as has Embiid (knee) for the third straight game.
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