Another Knicks playoff game, another big three from the Michael Jordan of Delaware.
DiVincenzo for the lead!
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2024
39.4 left on TNT, Pacers ball. https://t.co/ma3LuolnrT pic.twitter.com/FfLuN8cyHc
Donte DiVincenzo put the Knicks up by three points with 39 seconds to go with his fifth three-pointer of Game 1. The shot gave New York a 118-115 lead in a game that Indiana led most of the way — and the Knicks won, 121-117.
Then, after making a big shot on offense, he took a big shot on defense, drawing an offensive foul on Myles Turner's illegal screen with a great deal of, shall we say, theatricality.
Was this an offensive on Myles Turner?
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 7, 2024
pic.twitter.com/nklxLrwG52
It's unusual to see a whistle like that late, but the referees upheld the ruling of a moving screen after Pacers coach Rick Carlisle challenged the call. Afterward, Jalen Brunson made a technical (for fouling before the ball was inbounded) and two regular free throws to put the game out of reach.
The call was reminiscent of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament semifinal when UConn was whistled for an illegal screen as they tried to go ahead late.
Replay of the UConn moving screen pic.twitter.com/tNUiwAszcp
— Alex (@Dubs408) April 6, 2024
DiVincenzo finished with 25 points, while his Villanova teammate Josh Hart scored 24 and Brunson had his fourth straight 40-point game, ending up with 43 points. The Knicks take a 1-0 series lead, while the Pacers will have a lot to complain about before Game 2.
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