With the presence of Joel Embiid, even diminished, the battle of the racket, and more precisely of the rebound, is definitely a key to the series between the Knicks and the Sixers. Before the start of the series, Philadelphia was well and truly aware that New York is number 1 in offensive rebounding this season. However, the teammates of Nicolas Batum were largely dominated in this sector of the game during the defeat in the first match.
“We need to control the rebound,” warns the French winger. “And we knew it. They are the best team in the league in this area. They played very well, they play aggressively and they run after every ball. And that's what they did, we lost on that. »
In the numbers, the Sixers only collected 33 rebounds, compared to the Knicks' 55 grabs. The differential is enormous on offensive rebounds: 23 shots to 9 for the Knicks, and that's as many “second chances” to exploit. “It’s way too much for a playoff game,” regrets Nicolas Batum. “We still had a chance to win the match. That's the worst part, we still had a chance. »
The little ones also take rebounds
What hurts the Sixers is discovering that the Knicks scored 26 points after offensive rebounds. In such a close match, it is decisive.
The question of rebound is not just an interior task. As proof, Josh Hart recovered 4 offensive rebounds and Jalen Brunson 5. In the absence of Julius Randle, the Knicks' backs are doing their part of the job.
“As guards, we need to get more rebounds” admits Kyle Lowry. “Their guards took 10 or something like that, and their interiors (Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein) fill their role very well. As a result, guys like Josh and OG (Anunoby) arrive at the right time. They fit very well. Since we are aware of this, we must rebound. It's a big, big, big key. »
Team work
The fight for the rebound is a precise job for the Knicks. The positioning of the player, the position of the body and the knowledge of each person's role in recovering the ball, it's all these little things that are regulated like clockwork for New York. And so many things that make the difference.
It is also collectively that the Sixers must respond to the physical challenge of Jalen Brunson's teammates. “We need more physical delay screens, with more players involved,” asks Nick Nurse. “We have to try to outnumber them and at some point we have to jump. We have to be able to match their athleticism and jump. »
Physically limited by his knee, Joel Embiid only collected 5 defensive rebounds in the first game. He too, this evening for the second round, will have to match the aggressiveness of Robinson or Anunoby.
