Karl-Anthony Towns
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Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns became an instant playoff hero in his first season with the New York Knicks, when he exploded for 20 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Eastern Conference Finals Game Three in Indiana against the Pacers on Sunday.
But in Tuesday’s Game Four, with the Knicks needed a win to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series, Towns encountered early foul trouble, picking up a pair in the first quarter.
Towns then narrowly avoided being called for a third with 10:49 remaining in the second quarter when video replays clergy showed that he hooked the arm of Indiana defender Tony Bradley, but it was Bradley who was called for the foul.
MrBuckBuck
Tony Bradley is called for the foul on Karl-Anthony Towns, and Reggie Miller doesn’t like it (with a replay)
By the end of he first half, Towns had taken six free throws, hitting five of them.
Halliburton Ends Half 1 Assist Short of Triple Double
Towns appeared defiant of the early fouled trouble, continually driving to the hoop, tallying 14 points.
TNT television commentator Reggie Miller, himself a former Pacers great and NBA Hall of Famer, wondered aloud why Indiana did not appear to be driving Towns in a n attempt to tag him with his third foul.
With 2:12 remaining in the half, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau took Towns out of the game to give him an extended rest before halftime — and also to protect him from collecting his third foul.
For the Knicks, OG Annunoby and center Mitchell Robinson also collected two fouls apiece. But four Pacers ended the half with two fouls each — Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard.
Pacers star Tyrese Halliburton ended the half destined for a triple-double, with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.