Just like he did in the playoffs against the Heat last year, Mitchell Robinson nearly thwarted the Nets’ “Hack-A-Mitch” strategy Friday night.
Robinson, who has shot 56 percent from free throws this season, made 5 of 8 in the final minutes to help the Knicks beat the Nets 111-107.
“It felt great. I missed all the games and that didn’t happen either,” Robinson said. “We’ve been focusing on free throws, and it paid off tonight.
“I feel like I’m moving in the right direction. There are still some things I have to work on. Conditioning is the biggest thing. Timing. Things like that.”
Robinson had averaged 15.3 minutes in eight games since returning on March 27 from ankle surgery in December.
But with Isaiah Hartenstein out for maintenance on his Achilles tendon, Robinson played 25 minutes Friday night, including the entire fourth quarter.
“Mitch makes plays that no one else can, in terms of impact shots, pick-and-roll coverage. So I thought he was a great guy,” Thibodeau said. “I thought that was a huge thing for us because Mitch can cover a lot of ground.”
Hartenstein played 33 minutes in Thursday’s win over Boston, his most since Feb. 6 before an injury forced him to miss multiple games heading into the All-Star break.
“It’s just management, just where we are in every way,” Tom Thibodeau said. “It was just a streak, but he was at about 30 minute pace. There were players on the scorer’s table. [take him out], but the game didn’t stop. that’s reality. “
Asked if he expected Hartenstein’s recent minutes restrictions to carry over into next week’s playoffs, Thibodeau said, “That’s a medical issue.”
Miles McBride also missed the game due to a non-coronavirus illness. … Jericho Sims started at center and had two points and four rebounds in 23 minutes.
