Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff doesn’t share the same views as New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau regarding the officiating in their first-round best-of-seven series.
Thibodeau called out the referees for their “inconsistency” during their 100-94 Game 2 defeat last Monday. In stark contrast, Bickerstaff praised the referees while taking a subtle shot at Jalen Brunson.
“We’re happy with the way the games are being called. We can survive physicality, so we’ve got no issue with it,” Bickerstaff stated via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “When you look at the comparison between the guys handling the ball the majority of the time, their guy is leading the league in playoff free throw attempts.”
“Cade (Cunningham) is ninth at this point. I think the fouls are being called how they’re being called. I love the whistle, let the referees keep calling the game the way they’ve been calling it. It gives an opportunity to defend, and our guys can play through it,” he added.
Detroit Pistons News: JB Bickerstaff drops important injury update ahead of Game 3
Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff recently revealed Isaiah Stewart upgraded to “day-to-day” with his knee injury. The fifth-year center played through the injury in Game 1 on Saturday before leaving the game for good in the final period.
Stewart may not play in Game 3, but Bickerstaff implored his team to keep the same intensity against the New York Knicks.
“When he’s not on the floor for us, we all have to bring that. We have to find a way because we can’t just lean on him all the time or expect it to just be him. We have to play with that same ferociousness and that effort that he does,” Bickerstaff said.
