Detroit – With 0.5 seconds left, the Knicks led with two, Jaren Branson intentionally missed his second free throw.
A mistake by the timekeeper nearly made Piston get down a potential shot he won in the game.
The clock started as soon as the ball hit the rim, not when it touched the player. As a rule, an inadvertent whistle gives ownership to the team that grabs the rebound. Detroit got a free timeout from the error.
However, the Pistons abandoned the ball and the Knicks survived with a 118-116 Game 3 victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the opening round series.
“We’re in Detroit,” Josh Hart said. “They had a home court advantage, and that’s an example of home court advantage.
“He purposely missed it. I think that’s why you go ahead and make it because they’re going to give them a shot.”
When asked if the scorer’s table thought it was intentionally done, Hart joked: “We’re in Detroit.
Director Tom Thibodeau said he had not been explained to the officials.
“That doesn’t seem right for me,” he said. “That’s a shame. It should never happen in a playoff game. It never happens.”
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The Knicks are planning to go abroad next preseason.
They are scheduled to play preseason games with the 76ers on October 2 and 4, with the league announced Thursday.
This is the fourth consecutive year the NBA has played a preseason game in Abu Dhabi.
In 2021, I signed a contract with tourism officials in Abu Dhabi.
Branson was named NBA clutch player of the year on Wednesday night, beating the Timberwolves and Nicola Jokic’s Anthony Edwards Nugget’s.
Branson averaged NBA high 5.6 points in clutch situations, defined as possessions in overtime where the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or scores within five points.
He also led the league with field goals (52), ranking second in total points (156) and third in total assists (28).
“That means a lot,” Branson said Thursday. “It’s credit to us winning a close game and having my teammates and coaches have my back.”
