STEPHEN A. SMITH: NEW YORK KNICKS 'ROBBED' SIXERS IN PLAYOFFS

In many cases, Stephen A. Smith is more of a comic actor than he is a sports analyst. But there is no denying he knows his NBA and he likes his New York Knicks ... so it's notable - even as the Knicks are just two wins away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for a second straight season - when the ESPN personality offers a serious take here.

And he's done so in the wake of the Knicks' stunning last-second win over the Sixers in these playoffs.

"I think that the Sixers were robbed, and I'm a Knicks fan. We know this!" Smith announced. "Tyrese Maxey was fouled."

Frankly, we think it's a mistake to delve into one bad call in a game in which plenty occur. But here? Yes, the Knicks - who would go on to close out the 104-101 victory - caught a break.

After a made Knicks basket sliced the Sixers lead to 101-99, Tyrese Maxey received an inbounds pass and was "slapped at least two or three times,'' said Stephen A.

Related: Knicks Outscore 76ers in Miraculous Final Minute for Game 2 Win

"Fair is fair. That should have been a foul call," he said.

But as Smith knows, that's not the way sports work. So the reality?

Now up 2-0 in their opening-round series against the Sixers, New York is in charge. Sure, the Sixers will have an opportunity to grab a piece of series contention back with a win in Game 3 on Thursday night.

But the Knicks have the edge. The lead. And, maybe the luck as well.

2024-04-24T22:20:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd