Fouls have become a point of contention in the first-round NBA playoff series between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff didn’t hesitate when asked how he felt about Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s comments on officiating after Detroit’s Game 2 100-94 win.
“We can survive physicality, so we’ve got no issue with it,” Bickerstaff said after practice Wednesday. “When you look at the comparison between the guys who are handling the ball the majority of the time, their guy is leading the league right now in playoff free-throw attempts. Cade is ninth at this point.”
Jalen Brunson, whom Bickerstaff was alluding to, currently ranks second (21) in playoff free-throw attempts behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (25). Antetokounmpo added 10 attempts in last night’s Game 2 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Cunningham (17) is fourth.
Thibodeau expressed his displeasure with the way Game 2 was officiated after the Knicks lost. Thibodeau particularly had an issue with what he felt was a lack of foul calls — and consequently free-throw attempts — for his point guard in comparison to Cunningham.
“Huge discrepancy in free throws. Huge. Guy’s getting fouled and it’s not being called. I really don’t give a crap how they call the game as long as it’s consistent on both sides. If Cunningham’s driving and it’s marginal contact and he’s getting to the line, then Jalen deserves to be getting to the line. It’s really that simple.”
The Pistons went 28-of-34 from the free-throw line, while the Knicks were 16-of-19 from the stripe Monday. Cunningham scored 10 of his team-high 33 points at the free-throw line, going 10-of-12.
Brunson went 10-for-11 from the line in the game, and his 21 free-throw attempts lead the series through two games.
What has been a physical matchup, to the approval of one coach and the frustration of another, will likely continue Thursday in Game 3. Pistons fans at Little Caesars Arena just watched their team win its first playoff game since 2008 and will surely bring the passion and excitement they’ve carried over from Game 2.
(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)
