NEW YORK — Every game between the Celtics and Knicks in the East semifinals have featured an interesting in-game wrinkle for both coaches: Intentionally fouling New York big man Mitchell Robinson. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla hasn’t been afraid to put Robinson on the line, where he’s shooting just 7-for-23 this series.
To Robinson’s credit, the Celtics are getting him to the line for a reason other than just because he’s a poor free throw shooter. The big man has impressed during his minutes on the court as his rebounding has given the Knicks a huge edge. So those are all the things that Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said they take into account when it comes to Robinson getting intentionally fouled and to sub him out or not.
“There’s a lot of thoughts that you put into it,” Thibodeau said ahead of Game 4. “And again, there’s a strategy of what are they doing? Are they in the bonus? Does it get us into the bonus? And then how many is he making? You’re basing it on points per possession, and it does allow you to save your defense. There’s pluses to it. And then, what’s he creating with the offensive rebounds and all the things he does, as well.”
On the Celtics’ side, they’ve also had to think about when to foul Robinson. They’ve often fouled him intentionally in the bonus like they did in Game 3. That strategy worked as Robinson shot just 4-for-12 from the line in the C’s blowout victory.
But there are other times that drew criticism. Late in the Game 2 collapse back in Boston, Mazzulla elected to foul Robinson to force him out of the game in crunch-time. The move worked in the sense of the big man checking out of the game, but it did mean the Knicks got into the bonus.
So on both sides, there are tactical pieces to keep in mind as the series continues. There could be some adjustments to the strategy from both sides. The Knicks currently lead the Celtics 2-1 in the East semis ahead of Game 4, set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at Madison Square Garden.
“You encourage,” Jalen Brunson said of Robinson after Game 3. “It’s a tough position to be in, especially mentally. But you gotta encourage. We’re going to have each other’s backs regardless. So no matter what happens, we’re going to win together, we’re going to lose together. We’re going to go through that together.”
