Detroit – Malik Beasley spoke first.
Josh Hart and Knicks gave a final laugh.
Beasley, who was in the way to troll the Knicks throughout the series, shot them on a pistons shootaround Thursday morning.
“The Spiritual Fight: Coaches have been preaching this whole year,” Beasley said. “We have to be stronger mentally than anyone else. I think we're a mentally strong team.”
However, the Knicks did not win Game 6. They concluded the series 116-113 without sufficient mental strength.
They abandoned a disastrous 20-2 runs to start the fourth quarter.
The noisy home crowd seemed deaf as the Pistons took a 112-105 lead and left 2:35 in the game.
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The Knicks looked lost and they were about to surrender.
Then they showed who was really mentally tough.
They responded by outperforming the Pistons 11-1 to close the game.
“We're a tough group,” Hart said. “No one likes to portray us, but we're a tough, physical group. This was a physical series. It was a tough series. And I think our physicality, toughness, and our mental toughness showed how we dealt with adversity. During those disadvantaged situations, we didn't play as individuals. It was a great series for us.”
Beasley, who is even sweeter for the Knicks, ran the boundaries on the Pistons' final play when they had the opportunity to slip through the ball and tie the game together.
Knicks' Game 6 Series clinch wins the piston. Charles Wentzelberg/New York Post
The Knicks have received a lot of criticism throughout the year for not being as tough as last year's team. But on Thursday night they showed courageous resilience.
“Dang tough, do your best and get through things,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Playoffs, it's all about your toughness and your discipline. There are a lot of emotional highs and lows. You have to get through it all. You have to keep focused on the work in front of you.
“I think you'll learn from all the games. You have to learn and move forward. What does the game teach you? If you're missing sometimes, if you're lacking, study, learn and make it better. That's a big part of mental strength.”
