Paul Reed noticed a change in the New York Knicks during Game 3 of their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks came out stronger and more focused, especially on defense. Reed, the Pistons’ backup center, commented on how the Knicks were more physical than in the previous games, stating, “I feel like that helped them with their defense. We have to counter that.”
After losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Knicks responded in Game 3 with a fast start, leading for most of the match. They had faced criticism for not matching the Pistons’ intensity and physicality earlier in the series, but this time they stepped up. The game was intense, with players from both teams getting into a shoving match that resulted in technical fouls for Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, as well as Reed.
The Knicks had struggled on the boards in Game 2, where they were out-rebounded by 14. In Game 3, they improved but still lost the rebounding battle by four. Reed expressed the challenge of getting into position against the Knicks’ physicality, saying they were pushing him out and making it hard to get loose for rebounds.
In the first half of Game 3, the Knicks managed to be plus-six in rebounds and led by as much as 13 points. Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of defense, rebounding, and minimizing turnovers as key to winning. He stated that finishing strong on both ends of the court is crucial for success.
Josh Hart acknowledged the Knicks’ improvement but noted that there was still work to be done, especially in rebounding. He mentioned that while the gap was tighter compared to Game 2, the loss still stung, and they needed to focus more on securing rebounds.
The Knicks’ performance in Game 3 showed their determination to fight back in the series, setting the stage for a crucial Game 4 at Little Caesars Arena. The series continues to be a test of resilience and strategy for both teams as they vie for advancement in the playoffs.
