Betrayer

That ball was out of bounds.

A few possessions of good defense there and we got the lead!

These refs. That was a travel. So bad.

Reggie Miller just got some PTSD on that block.

Bad challenge either way. Like I said last time, you can’t throw away a challenge this early against the NBA paid refs. You need that in your back pocket to keep them even semi-honest.

Bad finish to that quarter. Didn’t hold for the last shot and gave up the offensive rebound on the free throw to make it worse. Beasley having a rough series so far.

Towns got a tech in the scrum. That should’ve been his second after that two hand shove to Ausar’s face on the screen.

I think that’s what Reggie was saying too. Maybe because he got fouled on the shot it’s the larger of the two? I don’t know.

Please stop doubling Brunson.

Clearly intentional eye poke. Tibbs told them to be more physical they thought that meant play dirty. This should have been the second flagrant from them so far. Refs ignored the first one.

Duren putting on a clinic in bad defense to start this one

Wow. KAT hits Ausar and follows through but no call even after a bloody nose.

Damnit. Chuck picked us to win in a blowout. We’re cooked.

Referee crew announced. Silver sent in New Yorker, Zach Zarba, to officiate tonight's game. Tibbs reinforcements have been parachuted in to save them. I hope Beasley is angry about not getting 6th man, because I was already expecting a Knick conga to the free throw line. We're going to need to shoot ourselves ahead in this one for any chance at winning. That Boston/NY matchup is a truck full of money the league doesn't want to miss out on.

JB speaks on a bunch of topics, including the refs: "We're happy with the way the game is being called. WE can survive physicality" - love this line. Essentially calling the Knicks weak for complaining. "Their guy is leading the league right now in playoff free throw attempts. Cade is 9th at this point."

Yep. Draymond strikes again. Poetic.

Also, if you're looking for a fun drinking game, take a shot every time they say "physical" this year. It's the buzzword they've all latched on to.

The most reckless and dangerous team in the NBA continues their streak. First Tatum and now Porzingis. Someone will dive at Brown's legs next.

The refs can't force the Knicks to draw fouls on shot attempts. Just because they're doing it 90 feet from the basket doesn't mean the refs are favoring the Pistons who are getting their calls by attacking the hoop. That's on the Knicks who leave their Center sitting on the perimeter. The fact remains that the Knicks have drawn more fouls in this series and the Pistons have been called for more fouls than any other team in the entire playoffs. The whistle is more than fair to the Knicks who aren't losing starters to foul trouble every game. As for Cade, he's attacking the basket with multiple defenders draped on him and shooting less threes in this series, so yes he's earned 17 FTs. The only one attacking on the Knicks is Brunson and that's why he got 21 FTs - again, that's more than Cade. In addition, he's drawn nearly double the calls that Cade has overall, which is just silly if you look at how Cade is being guarded by professional wrestlers out there. Tibbs argument is a house of cards for anyone who looks past the one stat he cherry picked. That's the point. That said, obviously Tibbs is trying to work the refs for next game as many coaches do. He's wants to phone a friend and get Silver and the boys to gift them a game for the sake of ratings by screaming "they're picking on us". Funny thing is, he doesn't need to. The only way the Pistons are winning game 3 is if they can shoot themselves out of the refs range of control. They aren't going to risk the ratings and revenue from that upcoming Knicks v Celtics matchup, so you can expect the Knicks to get a very favorable whistle. And sure I agree, I'd like to see JB talk about Brunson hooking and flopping.

Some numbers courtesy of Ku. -Over these 2 games, Brunson has drawn 23 fouls. Cade has drawn 14. -In Game 2 the Pistons were called for 24 fouls. Knicks were called for 22. -In the playoffs, the team being called for the most fouls per game: The Pistons. So, Tibbs is complaining after a game in which his team drew more fouls than the other team and in a series where his opponent is being called for more fouls than any other team in the entire playoffs. Insanity. I'm surprised Brunson doesn't have whiplash yet with all the head whipping he does on every play.

Well put, balanced take and I totally agree. For what it's worth, I re-watched the game last night. I was going to do that anyway, but since we were talking about it I paid particular attention to KAT and Tobias. Harris actual did a phenomenal job of not leaving KAT to the point where he gave some open looks to other guys when maybe he should have switched. He was always between KAT and the ball, denying the pass and not letting him get any catch and shoot opportunities. That's the assignment against someone as soft as KAT. As far as KAT taking the ball into the paint. Three of his makes in the first half were against Cade (missed switch), Duren (prayer that went in), and Reed. He had a couple of nice post ups on Tobias, but Tobias also stopped him a couple of times in the paint. In the second half KAT had 3 opportunities in the paint. Tobias stopped him in the post on the first one in the 3rd quarter. Then, in the fourth quarter KAT had 2 chances. One was a post up and one was a drive. On both of them he was smothered by Tobias (and some help) so he had to pass out of them and couldn't even get a shot up. As you said, KAT could have been less of a punk and kept going to the paint to demand the ball, but we all know that ain't KAT. The few opportunities he did try in the second half were shut down by really good defense. We already agree on all this, but I just figured I'd post some details here since I re-watched it with this in mind.

It's correct. I re-watched the game last night. I just needed to see a Detroit playoff win again after nearly 20 years. Call me crazy. The only time Duren guarded him was on a fast break where KAT collided with Duren and threw up a prayer that went in, then complained for a call.

It's like in '04 when the media acted like the Lakers beat themselves because apparently the Pistons had nothing to do with it. I get it, it's hard to give credit to the guy after how strongly everyone came out against him in the pre-season. He's no All-Star but he's been just what this team needed and a big part of why they're here. We shouldn't be able to compare his numbers and impact to the All-NBA player he's matched up against in this series, but that's actually what we're able to do and it says a lot about both players.

Class act.

People are talking about KAT being ineffective, but few on here are giving any credit to Tobias. Nationally they are, as they should be. Even though KAT's bigger, Tobias has been battling him non-stop and doing a nice job making him feel it. You do that enough and KAT wilts because he doesn't want to go the post and fight for position all game. He wants to shoot from outside and Tobias is quick enough to guard him out there. I'll also point out that in 2 games Tobias has 19 rebounds while shooting 14-24 and 5-9 from three. Everyone knocked this signing because he's not an All-Star, but he's been one of our most important high level role players on and off the court. However, as Del said earlier, you have to look at your starting Center when you're required to hide him on Hart since he can't guard in space. How much do you want to pay that guy? If Tibbs wasn't so stubborn he'd play McBride instead and then what? In fact, I'd be surprised if that isn't the main adjustment (along with more Cade traps) we'll see from the next game. Hopefully Stew will be back to provide the answer to that adjustment.