BT and Sal were not happy with the fouls Joel Embiid was committing in game three, including pulling down on Mitchell Robinson’s ankle and extending his leg into the groin of both Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein.
With Robinson’s ankle eventually forcing him out of the game and into a walking boot, BT says the Knicks need to retaliate in game four on Sunday.
“If I’m Tom Thibodeau, I’m taking out Embiid,” BT said. “That’s what I’m doing.
“That was dirty last night…I don’t like to say this, because on some levels, it is incredibly irresponsible. But looking at what happened last night with Joel Emiid, with Hartenstein kicked in the groin, and grabbing at Mitchell Robinson’s ankle and pulling him down - If [Robinson] can play, within the first 7-8 minutes of the game, I summon Jericho Sims into that game, and I absolutely smash Joel Embiid and put him down.”
Sal agrees, though he would have liked to have seen the retaliation come right after Embiid pulled down on Robinson’s ankle.
“I thought Embiid was absolutely unhinged in that first quarter,” Sal said. “He should have been thrown out multiple times.
“The 90s Knicks wouldn’t have stood for that, and these Knicks shouldn’t…there were multiple incidents where somebody should have thrown an elbow in Embiid’s face.”
BT wants to see the Knicks send Embiid a message in game four, and up the physicality in a series that is already plenty physical through three games.
“I think he’s gotta pay for that,” BT said. “You make a play for the ball, disguise it enough, and get half of the ball and half Embiid.”