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CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers believed the referees allowed the Knicks to get away with some bully-ball and uncalled bodily play within the opener of their first-round playoff sequence.
After dropping as soon as already on their residence courtroom, they vow to push again in Tuesday’s Recreation 2
“The refs allow us to play rather a lot. So we hit first and see the refs react, as an alternative of being punched within the face and simply laying right down to it,” Cavaliers guard Darius Garland mentioned after the Knicks’ 101-97 victory Saturday night time. “I feel that’s the mentality we’ve to have. Go punch first and see what the refs do, see in the event that they blow the whistle or not. Simply set the tone for the sport with it.”
The Knicks managed the glass within the opener, holding a 51-38 rebounding edge, together with 17 offensive rebounds regardless of the presence of twin beginning massive males Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
“This can be a wake-up name and a studying lesson for our guys,” Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff mentioned. “You may’t clarify or describe what a playoff recreation is like. It’s important to undergo a playoff recreation and perceive the physicality of it. Perceive what you may and may’t get away with.”
Returning All-Star Julius Randle grabbed 10 rebounds total, whereas Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart mixed for 18, with 5 apiece on the offensive finish.
“The sport adjustments within the playoffs. The foundations change within the playoffs,” Bickerstaff added. “What’s a body-to-body foul within the common season just isn’t body-to-body within the playoffs. That is going to be the story of this sequence. Can we restrict them on the offensive glass? If we will’t, we’re going to have a tough time profitable. If we will, we’ll have an opportunity.”
Observe The Publish’s protection of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA playoff sequence
Cavaliers swingman Isaac Okoro was elbowed within the face by Randle within the second half with out a name, however the Knicks truly had been whistled for barely extra private fouls (20-17) within the recreation.
“The refs within the common season would possibly name ticky-tack falls,” Okoro mentioned. “Now figuring out that I’m in a position to get away with a pair hand-checks and nudges, I’m simply going to maintain doing it.”
Added Garland: “The physicality was positively the distinction for us. A whole lot of us haven’t performed in [the playoffs]. So it was studying expertise. Now return and watch the movie and simply see how we alter every thing and attempt to hit first. They sort of took us out of every thing as a result of they hit first and we didn’t hit again. We simply laid down a bit bit. And I feel that was the sport.”
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