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[Saba Sports News] Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris may have given the New York Knicks extra motivation heading into Thursday’s crucial Game 3.
Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Harris made a veiled jab at the Knicks’ toughness when asked to compare this season’s squad to the one he faced in last year’s playoffs as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It’s a different dynamic, for sure,” Harris said with a smirk, via Jared Schwartz of the *New York Post*. “That’s all I’m gonna say. … It’s part of our gameplan.”
The implication? The current Knicks might not be as gritty as last year’s group. The Pistons have emphasized physicality all season long, and Harris hinted that outmuscling New York is central to Detroit’s approach.
Last season’s Knicks leaned on hard-nosed players like Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein, both of whom are no longer on the roster. That’s raised questions about whether this year’s team can match up against a physically aggressive opponent like Detroit.
The Pistons have arguably outplayed the Knicks through the first two games of their first-round series, splitting the matchups at Madison Square Garden. New York only avoided a Game 1 loss thanks to a dramatic 21-0 fourth-quarter run.
Now, with the series shifting to Detroit, the Knicks will need to win at least one on the road to stay in control. Facing a tough environment—and with their toughness being called into question—they’ll have even more incentive to respond.